The 2024 Presidential Election is underway, with voters across the nation heading to the polls to decide between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. The race is considered a tight one, with both candidates making strong pushes in key battleground states.
With polls closing in several states, early results are trickling in, offering glimpses of the potential outcome.
Early Results Show a Close Race
As of 9 p.m. ET, NBC News has projected that the presidential race is too early to call in several key battleground states, including Michigan, Wisconsin, and Arizona. Biden won both Michigan and Wisconsin by narrow margins in 2020, though Harris may struggle in Michigan in areas heavily populated by Arab Americans. Trump has attempted to win over the community amid discontent with the current Democratic administration's support of Israel amid the violent conflict in the Middle East. Harris is also hoping to keep Arizona after Biden won there by fewer than 11,000 votes. Trump won the state by more than 90,000 votes against Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Several other states are also too close to call, including Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia. These states could ultimately decide the outcome of the election.
Key Races to Watch
In addition to the presidential race, several key Senate races are also being closely watched. These races could determine which party controls the Senate.
The Senate Races to Watch:
- Pennsylvania: Democrat Bob Casey is facing a challenge from Republican Dave McCormick. Casey raised more than $46 million since 2023, well more than McCormick’s roughly $27 million. Democrats steadily increased their ad spending since Labor Day, only to briefly knock Republicans from their post as top spender in late September before Republicans regained their momentum in late October. Since Labor Day, Democrats spent more than $87 million on campaign ads, outspent by Republicans who doled out nearly $100 million and were boosted by outside donors like the Republican super PAC Senate Leadership Fund.
- Ohio: Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown raised the most of any Senate candidate across the country, piling up more than $84 million since 2023. His Republican opponent, Bernie Moreno, lagged behind, having raised more than $24 million since 2023. But Republicans led the race in ad spending despite the deficit in fundraising, pouring more than $185 million into campaign ads since Labor Day. The momentum is boosted by big-spending outside donors like the Republican super PAC Senate Leadership Fund, which spent more than $85 million on ads in the Senate race. Democrats ramped up their spending in mid-October to outspend Republicans, taking over the airwaves with $17.5 million in ads by the end of the month.
- West Virginia: Republican Jim Justice is challenging incumbent Democrat Joe Manchin, who is running as an independent.
Trump's Path to Victory
Trump's path to victory is narrow but possible. He needs to win a number of key battleground states, including Florida, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. Trump's team thinks he has momentum with a likelihood of near-record turnouts, but everything is being taken with a grain of salt.
Harris' Path to Victory
Harris' path to victory is more expansive. She needs to win a combination of key battleground states, including Michigan, Wisconsin, and Arizona.
Election Night in the Spotlight
The eyes of the world are on the United States as the nation awaits the results of this election. As the night progresses, we'll continue to provide updates on the latest results, analysis, and key races to watch. Stay tuned.
Looking Ahead
The 2024 Presidential Election is a historic one, with both candidates vying to lead the nation through a time of unprecedented change. The outcome of the election will have a profound impact on the future of the United States, both domestically and internationally.
This article is an amalgam of information collected from several reputable news sources, including: NBC News, CNN, New York Times, Yahoo News, CBS News, USA Today, Washington Post, Axios, Fox News, and the Associated Press.
