Americans are gearing up to cast their votes on the last day of an extraordinary campaign marked by drama, controversy, and unexpected turns. As the 2024 presidential election enters its final full day, candidates Donald Trump, 78, and Kamala Harris, 60, are in a neck-and-neck race, each portraying their candidacy as a critical juncture for the nation.
This election day on November 5 has brought both veteran campaigners to the forefront in what experts deem one of the most fiercely contested elections in recent history. Their messaging has polarized an electorate already divided along political, cultural, and socioeconomic lines. Despite the frenetic pace of campaign events, social media outreach, and last-minute canvassing, the contest’s outcome remains uncertain, with voters in key battleground states holding the power to sway the election.
This year’s race has been marked by dramatic developments that have both energized and unsettled American voters. Former President Donald Trump, who has spent nearly two decades as a household name in politics and business, survived two assassination attempts this year, one nearly fatal. Just weeks earlier, Trump was convicted of a felony in New York, where his journey to fame began, marking the first time a former president has faced such legal consequences.
Vice President Kamala Harris’s unexpected rise to the top of the Democratic ticket in July came after President Joe Biden, 81, withdrew his reelection bid following a poorly received debate performance and waning support within his party. Harris, who made history as the first woman of color to serve as Vice President, now stands poised to potentially make history again as the nation’s first female president.
With Election Day just hours away, both campaigns are working tirelessly to mobilize voters in critical battleground states. Polls suggest a dead heat between Harris and Trump nationally and in these key regions, amplifying the significance of voter turnout efforts on the ground. So far, over 77 million Americans have already cast their ballots, setting records for early voting turnout. However, both campaigns recognize that the remaining voters could decide the race.
The Harris campaign’s final push has concentrated on rallying their base, especially in pivotal swing states. Campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon expressed optimism about their position, citing significant voter mobilization efforts. “We are feeling very good about where we are right now,” she shared. According to campaign insiders, this weekend alone, Harris’s volunteers knocked on hundreds of thousands of doors across battleground states, with a particular focus on reaching undecided women voters and minority communities.
Harris’s team believes that a strong turnout among young voters, women, and communities of color will be pivotal. Recent internal polling from the campaign suggests these groups are leaning towards Harris, a shift they attribute to her message on social justice, economic equity, and democratic resilience. By mobilizing their traditional coalition, they aim to secure the votes necessary to win in states like Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Georgia.
In contrast, Trump’s campaign is targeting voters who are typically disengaged from the political process. Rather than appealing to undecided or swing voters, Trump has focused on “low propensity” voters – individuals who support him but don’t reliably turn out for elections. Campaign officials argue that by honing in on this segment, they can reach untapped reservoirs of support, potentially swinging tight races in crucial states.
Trump’s ground game largely relies on super PACs and affiliated groups, which have taken on the majority of his campaign’s canvassing efforts. These groups, free from the limitations imposed on traditional campaign spending, have used targeted door-to-door outreach in areas with strong pro-Trump sentiments. By focusing on high-return areas, the campaign hopes to maximize its resources effectively.
While Harris and Trump share the stage as national figures, their campaign messages have been markedly distinct, often catering to divergent concerns among voters. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated that Americans rank “threats to democracy” as the second-most pressing issue, just behind economic concerns. This contrast is reflected in the rhetoric of both candidates in these final days.
Trump, who has consistently highlighted the economy as his top priority, believes that his promises to lower taxes, combat inflation, and reinvigorate American manufacturing will resonate with voters. At a rally in Lititz, Pennsylvania, Trump confidently laid out his economic vision, pledging, “We’re going to cut your taxes, end inflation, slash your prices, raise your wages and bring thousands of factories back to America.”
The former president has underscored rising costs of essentials, including food and rent, as evidence that his administration could better handle the economy than the Democrats. His closing arguments are likely to resonate with economically stressed voters who view these issues as paramount, particularly in swing states with sizable working-class populations.
On the other side, Harris has framed the election as a referendum on the future of American democracy. At a Detroit church on Sunday, she delivered a message of optimism and resilience, emphasizing the power of citizens to “bend the arc of history toward justice.” Her remarks underscored her view that Trump’s leadership poses a direct threat to democratic institutions.
Harris’s campaign has consistently positioned her as the candidate committed to upholding democratic norms, contrasting her vision of unity with Trump’s more divisive rhetoric. This message has resonated with voters concerned about political polarization and perceived threats to the rule of law.
As the campaigns enter the final stretch, both candidates are hitting critical battleground states that could make or break their bids for the White House. Trump and Harris’s campaign schedules reflect a heavy focus on Pennsylvania, the largest prize among battleground states, with 19 of the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency.
Trump will be visiting Raleigh, North Carolina, before heading to Reading and Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania and concluding with a stop in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His day will end with a return to Palm Beach, Florida, where he plans to cast his ballot and monitor the election results. Trump’s final rally locations, concentrated in economically struggling areas, mirror his campaign’s central economic message.
Harris will also spend the day in Pennsylvania, starting in Allentown before traveling to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, areas where she hopes her campaign’s outreach efforts will yield high turnout. Her choice of locations reflects a focus on urban and suburban voters, particularly women and minorities, whom her team believes could tilt the state in her favor.
With polls showing a razor-thin margin in both national and battleground state polls, there is significant uncertainty about when the final results will be known. While election officials have prepared for high voter turnout and increased security, experts warn that the country may not know the winner immediately. This delay could be exacerbated by the potential for legal challenges, which Trump’s campaign has indicated they are prepared to launch if he loses.
Trump, who has repeatedly claimed without evidence that the 2020 election was stolen from him, has hinted at contesting the 2024 results. He has spoken openly of pursuing legal action if he suspects foul play, fueling concerns of protracted legal battles and further polarizing the electorate. Harris, for her part, has maintained that the democratic process must be respected, urging Americans to remain patient while all votes are counted.
At its core, the 2024 presidential election has become a clash of visions for America’s future. With both sides portraying the stakes as existential, voters find themselves at a crossroads. Trump’s campaign embodies a return to populist nationalism, focused on economic revitalization and a promise to reshape Washington to serve “forgotten Americans.” Harris, on the other hand, presents a vision of inclusivity and a commitment to preserving democratic ideals, aiming to forge a coalition of diverse constituencies.
The final push from both campaigns underscores the divisions that have defined recent American politics. For voters, the choice on Tuesday will determine not only the country’s next president but potentially its trajectory for generations to come.
