Voting for the U.S. presidential election is set to take place today, Tuesday. It’s still unclear who will ultimately make it to the White House. National polls and swing state surveys remain closely contested, showing a tight race between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris, with either candidate having a strong chance of winning. Here’s a look at five key reasons why current Vice President Kamala Harris could potentially secure a victory.
Kamala’s Appeal: Not Another Trump
Though Trump has strong support in many areas, he remains a polarizing figure who has split the American public sharply. Analysts suggest that Trump’s right-wing stance has intensified political division in the U.S.
In 2020, Trump achieved a record number of votes for a Republican candidate, yet he lost as over 7 million voters shifted their support to Biden.
This election, Kamala Harris is focusing her campaign on the potential risks of a second Trump presidency, describing him as a “fascist” and a threat to democracy. She promises instead to lead the country forward by moving past “drama and division” and offering a stable and unifying vision for America’s future.
Kamala: Not Biden
Initially, it was expected that the election would be a rematch between Trump and Biden. However, facing various criticisms, Biden announced in July that he would not run for president. With Biden stepping aside, the Democrats found themselves in a precarious situation, with many believing that the party’s chances for success in the upcoming election were slim.
Yet, driven by a collective desire to defeat Trump, Democrats quickly rallied around Kamala Harris. Despite her late entry into the race, Harris made a strong start. Since becoming the Democratic candidate, she has revitalized the party, instilling a sense of hope among Democrats regarding the upcoming presidential election.
Republicans have sought to link Harris to Biden’s unpopular policies, criticizing her along with him. However, Harris has dismissed many of these attacks against Biden as unnecessary.
One of the reasons for Biden’s withdrawal was concerns about his age. Polls indicated that voters were worried about whether the elderly Biden could handle the responsibilities of the presidency. With Harris now as the candidate, the focus has shifted to Trump’s age, as he would become the oldest president in U.S. history if elected.
Women’s Rights
The upcoming presidential election in the United States marks the first since the Supreme Court ruled on women’s abortion rights, effectively stripping away the constitutional right to abortion after a certain period.
Voters who are concerned about protecting women’s rights to abortion are increasingly rallying behind Kamala Harris. This trend was also evident in previous elections; for example, during the 2020 midterm elections, the issue of abortion played a significant role and had a direct impact on the election outcomes.
In this election, nearly ten states will have abortion-related questions on their ballots, including the crucial swing state of Arizona. Voters will be asked whether they believe the government should intervene in abortion matters, which could lead to increased support for Kamala Harris. Additionally, the fact that the U.S. has yet to elect a female president may encourage more women to vote for Harris this time around.
Higher Voter Turnout Expected
Recent polls indicate that Kamala Harris enjoys greater popularity among older voters and those with undergraduate or graduate degrees. This demographic is also showing a higher propensity to vote in this election.
Democrats tend to perform well in segments with higher voter turnout, while support for Trump is stronger among groups that historically vote less, such as young voters and those without college degrees.
A survey by The New York Times/Siena College revealed that Trump is more popular among registered voters who did not participate in the last election. This raises a significant question for this election: Will these voters show up to cast their ballots this time?
Increased Fundraising and Spending
It’s no secret that elections in the United States are incredibly costly, and this year’s election is poised to be the most expensive in the country’s history.
When it comes to campaign spending, Kamala Harris is leading the charge. Although Donald Trump began fundraising in January 2023, Harris kicked off her fundraising efforts only after announcing her candidacy in July. Remarkably, despite starting a year and a half later than Trump, she has managed to raise more funds. Additionally, Harris has spent twice as much on advertisements for her campaign compared to Trump.
