In an intense and closely-watched 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump has secured victories in several conservative-leaning states, including North Carolina and Georgia, while maintaining a narrow lead in battleground regions like Pennsylvania and Michigan. Early projections suggest that Wisconsin may also fall in Trump’s favor. These wins could significantly shape the outcome of the election as both Trump and his opponent, Kamala Harris, vie for control of critical states across the nation.
As expected, Trump has captured traditionally conservative strongholds, from Florida to Idaho, while Harris has dominated liberal states from New York to California. In a strategic move to connect with her supporters, Harris had planned to spend election night at her alma mater, Howard University. However, the atmosphere at Howard shifted as results from swing states began favoring Trump, leading her campaign to adapt plans.
Exit poll data from CBS News indicates that Harris’ support among female voters has been slightly below projections, with an estimated 54% voting in her favor, contrasting with Biden’s previous support of 57% among women in 2020. Both candidates’ performances are historic in their own ways either marking the first woman president or a rare political comeback for Trump, who would be the first president in over a century to serve non-consecutive terms.
Meanwhile, the composition of Congress remains uncertain, with CBS projecting the Republicans are likely to secure control of the Senate, reclaiming seats in key states like West Virginia and Ohio. The House of Representatives appears more evenly split, signaling the possibility of a divided Congress, which could challenge the next administration’s agenda.
Swing states such as Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania are anticipated to be decisive. Results are rolling in slowly from Arizona, while Nevada’s count is in early stages. Notably, early voting surged in this election, with over 86 million voters casting ballots before election day, underscoring heightened voter engagement amidst a turbulent campaign period.
Adding to election security concerns, bomb threats targeted election-related sites nationwide, particularly in Georgia, though they were quickly identified as hoaxes. Philadelphia authorities have been vigilant as well, dismissing allegations of election fraud in the area as unsubstantiated.
Both candidates have been vocal about their visions for America’s future. For Harris, a win would not only break gender and racial barriers but also underscore her commitment to policy priorities around social equity. On the other hand, Trump, casting his vote in Palm Beach, Florida, expressed his usual confidence, stating his intention to acknowledge the outcome if it is a “fair election.”
Early tallies from Dixville Notch, a small New Hampshire village famous for its midnight voting tradition, reflected the close race. The six residents were evenly split between Trump and Harris, capturing the nation’s sense of a deeply divided electorate.
In exit polling, voter priorities ranked democracy as the top concern, followed by the economy, with nearly one-third citing economic challenges as a decisive factor in their choice. Immigration and abortion ranked next, while foreign policy was less significant to most voters this year.
