As the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign enters its final day, both candidates are ramping up efforts in critical swing states in a race too close to call. Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are each making last-minute appeals to voters, particularly focusing on Pennsylvania, which holds 19 crucial electoral votes. With recent polling showing a deadlock at 49 percent support each, the stakes have never been higher.
In an aggressive push, Trump is holding four rallies across three states: Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Michigan. Speaking to a packed crowd in Raleigh, North Carolina, Trump emphasized his commitment to strong border policies, promising to “call Mexico on [his] first day in office” should he secure victory. Trump also highlighted his endorsement from the Border Patrol Union, reinforcing his stance on immigration reform as a key part of his platform.
Meanwhile, Vice President Harris has committed her entire final campaign day to Pennsylvania, culminating in a highly anticipated rally in Philadelphia alongside television icon Oprah Winfrey. Harris’s focus on Pennsylvania underscores the significance of the state’s 19 electoral votes, considered a pivotal factor among seven battleground states that could determine the election outcome.
The candidates’ strategic focus on Pennsylvania reflects its unique position in this election cycle. The final NBC News poll, released Sunday, shows the race nationally at a razor-thin tie, with both Trump and Harris holding 49 percent support. Political experts caution that if Pennsylvania’s results are too close to call, the nation may face days of uncertainty.
Dan Cassino, a political science professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University, noted that pollsters are being extra cautious this year, factoring in the unexpected level of support Trump received in previous elections. Cassino explained that pollsters are “determined not to underestimate Trump’s support again,” even if it means some artificial adjustments to account for the polling errors seen in 2016 and 2020.
As the last day of campaigning unfolds, Pennsylvania remains a focal point, with both campaigns hoping to sway undecided voters. Experts suggest that a delayed result could leave the U.S. in suspense until the weekend if Pennsylvania’s final tally proves decisive. With millions of Americans heading to the polls, both campaigns are making their final pitches, preparing for what promises to be a closely watched, historic election night.
