As election day nears, the United States and the world hold their breath to see if Kamala Harris will make history as the first woman to occupy the Oval Office or if Donald Trump will achieve a remarkable return to power after a contentious and combative campaign. Both candidates are making their final appeals to undecided voters in key swing states, aiming to capture every last vote in what appears to be one of the closest races in recent history.
Final campaign push: Trump and Harris blitz battleground states
In a frenzied last-ditch effort, both contenders visited several critical states on Monday. Harris, aiming to secure her bid for the White House, is focusing her final day of campaigning in Pennsylvania with a rally in Philadelphia featuring Lady Gaga. Trump, meanwhile, has crisscrossed swing states, including North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, drawing large crowds and making bold promises as he looks to solidify his support.
Pennsylvania, a pivotal state in this election, has become a focal point for both campaigns. Harris and Trump will host competing rallies in Pittsburgh, underscoring its importance in their paths to victory. While Harris has campaigned heavily in the rust-belt states, she faces a potential challenge in Michigan, where a sizeable Arab-American community has expressed discontent over the US’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Tight polls as election day approaches
Polls across the nation show an incredibly tight race, particularly in the seven key swing states that are expected to decide the outcome. An unexpected boost for Harris came from the Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll, which showed her leading Trump among likely voters in a state he had won in both 2016 and 2020. This turnaround, driven primarily by women voters, places her slightly ahead in Iowa, although the margin remains narrow at 3.4 percentage points. Meanwhile, an Emerson College Polling survey showed Trump with a 10-point lead over Harris, particularly strong among men and independent voters.
Voter confidence divided over economy and leadership
Economic issues remain a decisive factor for many voters. According to an AP-NORC poll, Harris holds a slight edge, with 43% of voters favoring her economic approach over Trump’s 41%. However, a separate Gallup poll indicated that 54% of voters believe Trump is better suited to handle the economy, reflecting a stark divide in voter confidence on this issue.
Election day timing and expected results
Voting will begin in many US states on November 5, with polling stations opening between 7 and 9 am local time. In Indian Standard Time (IST), this aligns with a start at 4:30 pm on November 5 and runs until 6:30 am on November 6. With around 75 million early ballots already cast, nearly half of the 2020 turnout, anticipation is building as the country heads into a defining moment.
Financial markets and global reactions to US election
Global financial markets are reacting cautiously, with Asian markets seeing an uptick on Monday as investors brace for a close race. The dollar dipped slightly after the latest poll showed Harris with an edge in Iowa, though a Trump victory could strengthen the dollar and boost US Treasury yields due to his tax-cut promises. The House and Senate races are also in focus, with potential Republican control adding to the stakes.
