As millions of Americans head to the polls on Election Day, the race for the White House remains one of the tightest in U.S. history. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have spent the final weeks campaigning in swing states that are expected to determine the outcome of the 2024 election. With seven key states up for grabs—Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—the path to securing the 270 electoral votes needed for victory has never been more contested.
Pennsylvania: Young Voters Look to Make an Impact
With 19 electoral votes, Pennsylvania is widely regarded as the key battleground that could decide the presidency. Many believe that whoever wins Pennsylvania will likely claim the White House. ABC News spoke with young voters who feel that their voices will be critical in this year’s election.
First-time voters Isaac Gourley and Caleb Root, both 18 years old and students at Redbank Valley High School in Western Pennsylvania, are among the many young people heading to the polls. “What stuck out to me was just their kind of international policy,” Gourley said, referring to the candidates’ foreign policies. Root, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of the economy in his decision-making process.
In Pennsylvania, mail-in votes cannot be counted until polls open at 7:00 a.m. on Election Day, meaning that the final result may not be known for several days.
North Carolina: High Turnout Despite Hurricane Helene
In North Carolina, where 16 electoral votes are on the line, voter turnout has surpassed expectations, even in areas hit hard by Hurricane Helene. More than 760,000 total ballots have been cast in the 25 counties most affected by the storm, outpacing statewide early voting averages.
The race remains extremely close in North Carolina, with recent polling showing Harris holding a narrow lead over Trump. Both campaigns are focusing heavily on women voters, with women making up the largest voting bloc in the U.S. According to an ABC News/Ipsos poll, Trump leads by 5 points among male voters, while Harris is ahead by 11 points among women.
At North Carolina State University, young women marched to the polls with a pro-choice message. “I’m really scared that I feel like I don’t know the rights I have as a woman,” said student Lizzie Pascal, reflecting the concerns of many women in this election.
Michigan: A Crucial State for Both Candidates
Michigan, with its 15 electoral votes, is another must-win state for both Harris and Trump. Once part of the Democrats’ “blue wall,” Michigan has become a tossup in recent elections. Early voting trends show high turnout among women and young voters, particularly in college towns. However, one crucial group—union workers—appears to be shifting away from the Democratic Party.
Douglas King, a longtime autoworker and member of the United Auto Workers (UAW), said he is supporting Trump, despite having voted for Barack Obama in the past. “I was raised to believe that the Democrats are the party of the working people,” King said. “And maybe at one time they were. I don’t feel that way now.”
Union leadership has endorsed Harris, but cracks are forming in the traditional Democratic base in Michigan. Trump’s narrow victory in the state in 2016, when he defeated Hillary Clinton by just 10,000 votes, showed how crucial Michigan could be again in 2024.
The Road to the White House
As Election Day progresses, all eyes will be on the key swing states that could determine the next president. Whether it’s Pennsylvania’s young voters, North Carolina’s turnout despite a hurricane, or Michigan’s shifting union support, the results from these battlegrounds will ultimately shape the future of the country. With millions of votes still to be counted, the nation waits to see who will emerge victorious in this closely contested race.
