Kamala Harris has two potential ways to win the presidential election, according to polling experts. She has become more competitive in four southern states, known as the Sun Belt, where Donald Trump was previously leading. This new development gives her a second path to victory, aside from winning in the Rust Belt states, which were previously seen as her main chance.
Recent polls show that Harris has gained support in key states like Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, and North Carolina. If she wins these, or alternatively, the Rust Belt states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, she could secure enough electoral votes to win.
In contrast, Trump would need to win both the Sun Belt and Rust Belt states to get the 270 electoral college votes needed to become president.
Since taking over as the Democratic nominee from Joe Biden, Harris has gained around two percentage points nationally and in important swing states. This shift has made her a stronger contender, with some experts even suggesting she could have a slight edge in the race.
The U.S. presidential election is decided not by the popular vote but by winning a majority of 538 electoral college votes, which are distributed state by state. Polls indicate that Harris now leads in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and has closed the gap in Michigan to nearly tie with Trump. She has also improved in the Sun Belt states, where Biden struggled after a poor debate performance.
Harris’s choice of Tim Walz as her running mate appears to be more popular with voters than Trump’s pick of JD Vance, who has faced criticism for his stance on abortion and comments about women. A Washington Post/Ipsos poll shows Walz with a positive rating among voters, while Vance has a more negative perception.
Harris plans to make a significant economic speech in North Carolina, addressing issues like price gouging and rising living costs. Meanwhile, Vance is set to campaign in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, recognizing the importance of these states for a potential Trump victory.
