US elections 2024, are set to be held on November 5. While nearly 240 million Americans will be voting, experts believe that seven “swing” states will be the deciding factor. These states shift their support between Democrats and Republicans, and which often determines the outcome of the election.
While Joe Biden won the 2020 elections in the state, his support went down for his support for Israel in the Gaza conflict. The state has the largest Arab-American population in the country and could shift to Republicans due to their stance on the war.
The state shares its border with Mexico and has become one of the key points in the immigration debate. Donald Trump has promised to undertake “the largest deportation operation” if he gets elected. The state has also witnessed controversial debates over abortion rights.
The state has previously witnessed close battles between Trump and Biden and is facing a decline in its industrial manufacturing base. While Kamala Harris has promoted various projects, high inflation remains a challenge. Meanwhile, Trump is appealing to rural white voters and warning them of migration in small towns.
A third of the state’s population is African-American voters, who favoured Biden in the 2020 elections. While Trump has been accused of election interference in the state, Harris hopes to secure minority votes in her favour.
With an ongoing battle to win over the state’s Hispanic population, Trump and Harris are witnessing a close fight. While Harris has promised to support small businesses and inflation, Trump is focusing on the reduction of taxes and regulations in the state.
While the state has a Republican incline, Harris is hopeful as it is becoming increasingly diverse. Trump won narrowly in the 2020 elections which could flip to Democrats due to the recent aftermath of Storm Helene, a scandal surrounding the Republican governor candidate, and black voters.
According to BBC, the state was inclined to independent candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr. However, Kennedy left the race and announced his endorsement of Trump. While Trump had an advantage over Biden, Harris may have a chance at winning the state.