With the presidential election just two days away, the race between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican contender Donald Trump has tightened to a razor-thin margin in seven key battleground states, according to the latest New York Times/Siena College poll.
The poll, conducted from October 24 to November 2 among 7,879 likely voters, paints a picture of a deeply divided electorate in these critical states, with Harris holding a slim lead in Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, while Trump edges ahead in Arizona. Meanwhile, both candidates are virtually tied in Michigan, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, leaving the final outcome in these states unpredictable and well within the poll’s margin of error of 3.5%.
The numbers reveal just how much of a nail-biter this race has become. Around 40% of respondents reported having already cast their ballots, with Harris leading among early voters by an 8-point margin. Trump, on the other hand, appears to hold the advantage among voters who are “very likely to vote” but have yet to cast their ballots. This split could tip the scales as last-minute voters head to the polls on Election Day, with both campaigns fighting to secure every remaining vote.
Of particular interest is Pennsylvania, a pivotal state where Trump appears to be gaining momentum. Earlier polls showed Harris leading in Pennsylvania by as much as four percentage points, but the latest survey reveals a statistical tie, indicating a possible last-minute shift among undecided or swing voters.
Both candidates are doubling down on their efforts in these battleground states as the campaign enters its final hours. Harris is scheduled to rally voters in Michigan, while Trump plans to make appearances in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia on Sunday. Each campaign is aware that even the slightest shifts could determine the election, especially in states where the margins are thin.
The battleground poll underscores the intensity of this election and hints at the possibility of a drawn-out fight over a few thousand ballots in these decisive states. With both candidates ramping up their appeals in key regions, all eyes are on voter turnout as a decisive factor in what is shaping up to be one of the closest races in recent memory.
Sources for this article include: The New York Times, Siena College Poll, Reuters.
