The ceremony of democracy is nearly here again. Very soon, we will see the conclusion of the 2024 presidential election. This high-tension battle is raging between the Republican hero Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, within a nation deeply divided along political lines. Secrets to victory in this contest lie among the seven key battleground states.
Uncertainty not only surrounds the results but also the timeline of the results. Questions rise about the composition of the electorate, the tidal waves of misinformation, and even the threats of politically fuelled unrest. Anticipating a tricky turf, both camps seem ready for a potentially elongated legal faceoff that could add to already muddled circumstances.
This multi-layered political contest also carries a weight of history on its shoulders. The Democrats’ Kamala Harris, if successful, would be the United States’ first female president. Her election would also mark her as the first Black woman and the first individual of South Asian origin holding the office. However, Harris and her campaign distanced themselves from conversations on gender and race, perhaps to keep certain sections of voters comfortable.
A victory for Trump, on the other hand, would signify a triumph of popular sentiment over perceived targeted injustice. Despite being weighed down by legal challenges, Trump has made it clear that he views himself as the casualty of a biased judicial mechanism. Remarkably, this argument seems to resonate with a substantial section of voters who either believe in his rhetoric or have chosen to disregard his legal complications.
The diverse geography and electoral system of the United States means that Election Day often turns into a more protracted affair. Each state carries its own set of regulations and traditions around ballot counting and legal challenges, factors that could certainly delay the final results. With the tightness of the race magnifying the vastness of the electoral map, it’s almost impossible to predict when a winner would be validated.
Two coastal battlegrounds that could serve as early tea leaves are North Carolina and Georgia. Early results may arrive from these states relatively quickly, and while these might not be the final results, they could potentially indicate the electoral temperature of the night.
In the race for North Carolina, it will be interesting to see how Harris fares in Wake and Mecklenburg Counties. These are home to Raleigh, the state capital, and Charlotte, the state’s largest city, respectively. A good performance by Harris in these regions would dictate just how much Trump needs to win over in less dense rural areas, where he holds sway.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania, another key battleground, challenges Harris to rally substantial turnout in Democratic stronghold Philadelphia. Furthermore, she aims to build upon Democratic leads in suburban counties to the north and west of the big city.
Our experienced Republican candidate Donald Trump, meanwhile, seeks to contain Democratic expansions happening in key suburban counties of Michigan, particularly Oakland County. A similar strategic challenge exists for him in Wisconsin’s Waukesha County.
An early start to Election Day is on the books for Trump, with a rally planned in Michigan. The energetic Republican candidate will then catch a flight to Florida, where his day will be filled with a myriad of engagements.
Trump’s personal investment in this election includes casting his vote on Election Day in the Sunshine State. Besides this, he is also scheduled to hold an election-night watch party in Palm Beach, where Republican supporters will undoubtedly gather in hopeful anticipation.
The night will be long and fraught with both tension and excitement. As the election ends, it is hoped that the will of the American people will elect a leader worthy of the trust placed in him or her.
Despite the political divides and against all uncertainties, it is the trusting belief of citizens in democratic power that will determine the future course of the United States. Indeed, it is this faith that will steer the ship of the great American democracy as it sails into uncharted waters.