Janice R. Andrews
The 2024 US presidential election between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump is expected to be extremely close, with several critical factors likely to decide the outcome.
The gender gap is a pivotal dynamic, with Harris enjoying strong support among female voters while Trump appeals to young, non-college-educated men. The “silver surge” of senior voters, particularly senior women, could give Harris an advantage in key Midwest states.
Trump has made inroads with Black and Latino voters compared to past Republican candidates, but Harris maintains solid leads in these demographics. The votes of Puerto Rican Americans in Pennsylvania may prove crucial.
The “blue wall” states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan will be hotly contested. Winning this trio would secure the presidency for Harris, while Trump may need to flip one of them along with victories in Sun Belt battlegrounds.
Given the tightness of the race, the final results may not be clear on election night, with mail-in ballots in states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin potentially delaying the final outcome. In the end, every vote could matter in determining the next US president.
