Harris and Trump Predict Victory in Tight US Election 2024 Race — Who Will Win?

Introduction

As the deadline for the US Election 2024 approaches, both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are trying to outdo each other one last time especially in the state of Pennsylvania. Polls have indicated a neck to neck tie between the two, therefore, each of the candidates has, with no doubt, claimed that the presidency is theirs to grab stressing the uniqueness of this election.

The presidential race has attracted numerous followers due to the high and extreme activities demonstrated in the campaigns including spending over the set amounts, changes in leads and much more. The margins of this election advance maps are small as both Harris and Trump are trying every means possible to engage every bit of support from the electorate within the state.

Background: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump

Kamala Harris’s Journey to the Top of the Democratic Ticket

After serving as Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris became the Democratic Presidential nominee after President Joe Biden wherein he 81 years old opted not to re-contest. Selecting Harris as a nominee, the Democratic Party is seen to be leaning towards young leaders, which is, however, supplemented by her experience as a prosecutor, senator, and vice president. It is the view of Democrats that the candidacy of Harris is for the benefit of the young and diverse people who will aspire and make themselves feel that it is time for active signing of healthy politics and progressive leadership considering the time factor with the US Election 2024 subsiding to settle.

Donald Trump’s Unyielding Comeback Bid

For Trump, this campaign gives him a chance to redeem himself and defend his place in history. At the age of 78, he has managed to gather a loyal support group even while having troubles with the law, where he lays claims of being the voice of “real Americans” who stand up against corruption, the so-called political class and an unfair judicial system that phrase, “Make America Great Again,” has transformed from just being a campaign slogan during his 2016 election to a rallying cry as he seeks for the American presidency once again in the US Election 2024.

Pennsylvania: A Critical Battleground State

There is no doubt that the influence of Pennsylvania will be very significant during the US Election 2024 as well. With both candidates rushing to win its infamous electoral college votes, Pennsylvania may indeed determine the national verdict. The last rally held by Trump in Pittsburgh, drew a huge crowd where he promised to grow the economy. Harris too was in the state campaigning, albeit in different cities, such as Allentown and Philadelphia, to connect with the resident electorate. The US primaries have increasingly placed emphasis on the state of Pennsylvania, especially owing to the fact that each contestant has a different campaign approach, or how they envision America in politics.

Campaign Messaging–Economy vs. Unity

Trump’s Economic Promises

Likewise or might say more than her opponents who competed for the Republican nomination in Pennsylvania, the female candidate has shifted the focus of the voters to a social ideology with a good understanding of how she should do it. However, for uncontested Trump, the race has been heeding primarily economic, employment-oriented initiatives promising to restore lost American jobs for the blue-collar working masses. 

At the rally in Pittsburgh, where he was campaigning in support of himself, he claimed that there would be challenges in the economy once Kamala Harris becomes president, owing to high inflation which he attributed to Democrats. His narrative of ‘economic greatness’ finds favour among all those voters who are in search of order and calmness, especially in light of the impending US Election 2024.

Harris’s Call for Inclusive Governance

But in the meanwhile, Harris has come forth to present herself as an all inclusive ‘president for every American’. through projecting an image of a level headed unifier. Tolerance, fairness, social equity and equal chances are some of the issues that she stands for and advocates for people like the Allentown based Puerto Ricans. 

Her appeal is to the young, the women, and the minority ethnic groups who she believes share her visions of an America that is more welcoming. With the election season around the corner, Harris is also confident that such appeals will work in such states as Pennsylvania.

Strategies: Grassroots vs. Targeted Outreach

Harris’s Grassroots Effort

For this purpose, the Harris campaign has stepped up internal communications and rigorous door-knocking campaigns to boost undecided voters. People inside the campaign believe there are prospects for a high early voting turnout in US Election 2024 with young and minority voters which could change the tide. This tendency is congruent with Harris’s desire to reach out to voters in all possible ways in order to change the situation in important swing states.

Trump’s Targeted Voter Outreach

On the contrary, the campaign of Trump has been more targeted in its approaches with some aides like Elon Musk using their social media to target specific groups such as young men to attract them into supporting their movement. This is done for the purpose of mobilising his supporters without altering the primary aims of the campaign.

The Gender Divide and Voter Dynamics

Gender division is one of US Election 2024’s dynamics that is quite pronounced. Women, for instance, is a constituency that Harris dominates while that of men gravitates towards Trump. This division therefore serves as an important campaign strategy for both candidates, such that both of them have programs that aim at mobilising specific genders. For instance, men are attracted to Trump, especially with Musk’s back up, which cement the Republicans’ position, while Harris’ win among women further propels her coalition building agenda.

Controversy over Election Integrity

Trump’s campaign has raised the spectre of rigging the elections, a line that is reminiscent of his campaign in 2020. With the US Election 2024 drawing to a close, Trump’s associates are ready to challenge the results in the event of a tight loss, and Trump has already suggested that he would sue if need be. At the same time, the Harris camp has dismissed such statements and reassured that: “The president is chosen by voters and not Donald Trump,” showing their faith in the electoral system.

Early Voting and Vote-by-Mail Options

The vast majority of U.S states, forty-seven including the District of Columbia, as well as some overseas territories, allow early voting which permits eligible voters to cast their votes before the period of officially determined voting. In addition, there are eight states plus Washington D.C that have universal absentee ballots where ballots are mailed to every active registered voter. For example, in the state of Oregon elections are entirely conducted through mail and there are no polling stations.

Poll Opening Times by State

Early Openers (Before 7 a.m. ET)

Several states tend to open up the polling stations earlier than on that day. For example, in the state of Vermont towns begin operations of the polling stations from 5am to around 10 am ET with the opening of polling stations allowed as early as 5am. The states of Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Virginia open the polls at 6am but the western regions of Kentucky do so in an hour period at 7 am. Early openers help accommodate voters who need to cast ballots before work.

Standard Openers (7 a.m. to 9 a.m. ET)

There are quite a number of states such as Alabama, Delaware and Georgia that open doors for polls by 7: 00 am. There are however some exceptions in Florida and Texas which have zonal variations; Panhandle in Florida as well as the three western counties of Texas commence voting one hour later from the rest of the contestants due to time zone differences. This range aims courtesy to the polls having no lines at that hour but includes the time differences in certain states.

Late Openers (open after 9 a.m. ET)

Certain countries will open the polling stations much later on The morning. For instance in the states of Colorado and Montana they begin taking votes at 9: 00 in the morning while the states of California and Hawaii do not commence until ten and twelve in the noon respectively. Such states tend to have less in person hours during election periods as the majority of their population cast their votes before or by post.

Poll Closing Times by State

Early Closers (Before 8 p.m. ET)

Poll closing times are also affected by the geographical location. In states such as Georgia, Indiana, and Vermont, for example, polls close as early as 7 p.m. ET. In Indiana, where most of the 80 counties lie in the eastern time zone, the poll closing times tend to differ as well, with some western regions doing away with the distinction of time zones altogether. While the early closing hours might have adverse effects on the late voters, they also make certain that the votes are counted in readiness for the timely release of results.

Standard Closers (8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET) 

Most states, which also include s of great cities such as New York, Pennsylvania, and even Texas in the wider aspect, close their polls at any toll between 8 pm and 10 pm ET. There are some exceptions such as Montana and Nevada where some polling sites though quite a distance away from each other exist at differing times but instead some remain open longer than the others based on the demand characteristics of the areas. 

Late Closers (After 10 p.m. ET) 

The western states, including Alaska, are the states that close their polls last. For example states such as California, Idaho and Washington states close their polls at 11 p.m. Et and restrain in bet bet where the approximations are wrong where undisputed controlling systems are kept until 12 am ET in all regions except Adak where its one is ET. This practice of late closing hours on the polls ensures that voting does not become difficult due to age differences.

Voter Rights and Reminders 

A voter who is in line when the polls close waits will still be able to vote, even if the line is longer than the official closing time. There are organisations like the ACLU that provide information about voter rights because it’s critical to protect voters. These materials are also available for voters on Election Day, as well.

Final Thoughts

One concerning factor that remains is the battleground state of Pennsylvania. As the time is approaching, the world’s attention is focused on the contests between candidates of US Election 2024. Here, observers note, and rightfully so, that a few of the results obtained from these elections could be pivotal for the entire American society and its democratic values in the long run.

For people not participating in elections, it is interesting how timing of polling hours varies between states and to what extent this affects voter turnout. It is important to know, especially for first time voters, the opening and closing hours of the polling stations in one area for a successful election process, hence the need to comply with local regulations.

This period is a reflection of the emotional capital that the right to vote embodies as a source of pride for most people. On every election day in the US, most Americans leave their homes to go and vote for whatever candidate will not just remain within the confines of the nation as there are many others who wish to be actively participating in the process of self determination.

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