Trump and Harris Neck-and-Neck in Polls as Election Approaches
As the U.S. presidential election draws near, recent polling indicates a tightening race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Two polls released on October 21, 2024, show Harris and Trump nearly tied, with Harris leading slightly in some surveys but within the margin of error. An ABC News-Ipsos poll found Harris at 50 percent and Trump at 48 percent among likely voters, while an NBC News poll showed both candidates receiving 48 percent support from registered voters. This marks a significant shift from previous months where Harris held a more comfortable lead.
In battleground states, Harris maintains a narrow edge, garnering 51 percent support compared to Trump's 49 percent in a CBS News/YouGov poll. However, the overall sentiment reflects a competitive landscape as both candidates ramp up their campaigns in the final weeks before the election.
Campaign Strategies Intensify Amid Polling Shifts
To break the tie in the polls, Harris is focusing on courting moderate Republicans in key states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Her campaign emphasizes a message of unity and a rejection of divisive rhetoric, as articulated by former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney, who joined Harris at campaign events. Meanwhile, Trump has been targeting undecided voters in areas affected by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, where he has made controversial claims about the government's disaster response.
Despite Harris’ significant fundraising advantage—raising over $1 billion since her campaign began in July—this financial leverage has not translated into a decisive lead in the polls. In September alone, her campaign spent $270 million, dwarfing Trump’s $78 million expenditure. As both candidates prepare for the final stretch, the focus will likely shift to voter turnout and mobilization strategies to secure victory in the closely contested electoral battlegrounds.
