In a dramatic close to a bitterly fought presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump spent the weekend making their final cases to voters in key battleground states. As polls tighten, both candidates focused on energizing their core supporters and swaying undecided voters in the last hours before Tuesday’s election. Harris, speaking from a historically Black church in Detroit, Michigan, emphasized unity and community action, while Trump, campaigning in Pennsylvania, doubled down on attacks against Harris, Democrats, and the current administration.
Recent opinion polls reveal a tight race between Harris, 60, and Trump, 78, each candidate grappling with voter disfavor but drawing strong support from particular demographic groups. Harris holds a significant lead among women, while Trump has made inroads with Hispanic men, reflecting an ongoing shift in voting trends. Despite negative ratings, neither candidate’s unpopularity has discouraged voter turnout. According to data from the University of Florida’s Election Lab, over 76 million Americans have already cast their ballots, nearly half of the 160 million votes cast in 2020, which marked the highest turnout in over a century.
In addition to the presidential race, Tuesday’s election will determine the control of Congress. Republicans are slightly favored to secure a Senate majority, while Democrats have a chance to flip the House of Representatives, currently under narrow Republican control. Control over both chambers is critical for the incoming administration’s legislative agenda, as split government has historically hampered presidents’ abilities to pass major initiatives.
In her Sunday address at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ, Harris delivered an impassioned plea to Detroit parishioners, positioning the election as a moral turning point for the country. “In just two days, we have the power to decide the fate of our nation for generations to come,” she told the congregation, invoking themes of faith and responsibility. “We must act. It’s not enough to only pray; not enough to just talk. We must act on the plans He has in store for us, and we must make them real through our works, in our daily choices, in services to our communities, in our democracy.”
This appeal to African American voters in Detroit, a historically significant demographic for Democrats, is part of a broader strategy for Harris. As in previous election cycles, Michigan is viewed as a critical state for Democrats, with its 15 electoral votes essential to reaching the 270 required for victory. Harris’s campaign is banking on robust turnout in Detroit and other urban areas with large African American populations to secure Michigan.
Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, Trump held the first of three rallies, adopting his familiar rally style of unfiltered, off-script comments. Addressing supporters with his characteristic fervor, Trump ridiculed Democrats as a “demonic party,” decried polling data, and revisited criticisms of the press. “Here’s all you need to know: Kamala broke it, and we’re going to fix it,” he told the crowd in his signature style, peppering his speech with grievances about inflation, immigration, and foreign policy. Trump’s rhetoric, which has intensified as Election Day draws closer, included a critique of the U.S. election system and claims that results should be declared immediately on election night.
Trump’s rallies, known for their energetic atmosphere and devoted supporters, have become a staple of his campaign strategy. His speech in Pennsylvania underscores his focus on mobilizing working-class and rural voters in states like Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia, all of which are vital to his electoral path.
Both Michigan and Pennsylvania are among the seven swing states predicted to determine the election outcome. Pennsylvania, with 19 electoral votes, is the largest of these prizes, followed closely by North Carolina and Georgia, each holding 16 votes. Electoral analysts estimate that Harris needs around 45 of the swing state votes to win, while Trump would require approximately 51, given the states in which each candidate is already favored.
In addition to Michigan and Pennsylvania, Harris’s strategy involves boosting turnout in Black and urban communities. Trump, for his part, is aiming to consolidate his support among white, rural, and increasingly, Hispanic voters. His team is particularly focused on North Carolina and Georgia, where small shifts in voter demographics could have an outsized impact on the outcome.
With inflation still high, voters have cited the cost of living as one of their top concerns, a sentiment both candidates are addressing with sharply different approaches. Harris has highlighted initiatives to lower healthcare and childcare costs, while Trump has pointed to the administration’s economic policies as responsible for the rising cost of goods and services.
Foreign policy is also a critical issue, especially among Arab American communities in Michigan, who have voiced frustration over Harris’s stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict. Samah Noureddine, a Lebanese American voter in Michigan, expressed disappointment in both candidates, stating she would cast her vote for Green Party candidate Jill Stein. “I’m upset because Harris is funding the genocide, and if we get Trump, we’re going to suffer too,” she said, reflecting a sentiment among some Arab American voters who feel alienated by both major parties.
Trump, who visited Dearborn, Michigan, last Friday, sought to connect with this demographic, promising to end the Middle Eastern conflict but without detailing his approach.
With election security a recurring theme, Harris sought to reassure voters on Sunday. In response to questions about Trump’s allegations of election fraud, she reaffirmed her trust in the U.S. election system. “We have, and support, free and fair elections in our country. We did in 2020—he lost,” she asserted. Harris’s campaign has prepared for the possibility of Trump challenging results if the election is close, particularly if he declares victory before all votes are counted.
In his speeches, Trump has also highlighted immigration, framing it as a crisis and a central plank of his campaign. He has argued that Harris, as vice president, should be held accountable for recent surges in migration. “It’s an invasion, and we’re the only ones willing to talk about it,” he told Pennsylvania rallygoers, doubling down on his hardline stance. Trump’s strategy seeks to mobilize his base by presenting himself as a defender of national security, while Harris has countered by emphasizing comprehensive immigration reform and humane treatment.
