Malcolm Rivera
In the 2024 US Presidential Election, Kamala Harris needed to win key swing states to secure a victory against Donald Trump. The most valuable swing state was Pennsylvania, with its 19 electoral votes. However, Harris could also win without Pennsylvania by securing Wisconsin, Michigan, and at least two other swing states. Other crucial states included Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina, and Nevada. Ultimately, Harris lost the election to Trump, despite early predictions of her victory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of electoral votes needed to win | 270 |
| Number of electors in the Electoral College | 538 |
| Number of electoral votes won by Kamala Harris | 226 |
| Number of electoral votes won by Donald Trump | 267 |
| Number of electoral votes in California | 54 |
| Number of electoral votes in Florida | 30 |
| Number of electoral votes in Texas | 40 |
| Number of swing states | 7 |
| Swing states | Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin |
| Number of electoral votes in Pennsylvania | 19 |
| Number of electoral votes in Georgia | 16 |
| Number of electoral votes in North Carolina | 16 |
| Number of electoral votes in Michigan | 15 |
| Number of electoral votes in Arizona | 11 |
| Number of electoral votes in Wisconsin | 10 |
| Number of electoral votes in Nevada | 6 |
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What You'll Learn
Kamala Harris needs to win Pennsylvania
With 226 electoral votes projected to go to Kamala Harris and 219 to Donald Trump, the race to reach the 270-mark and secure the presidency is a tight one. Pennsylvania, with its 19 electoral votes, is the biggest battleground state and is expected to play a pivotal role in determining the election's outcome.
Most political experts agree that Pennsylvania is the most crucial state for Harris to win. While it is possible for her to win without it, Pennsylvania is expected to provide a significant boost to her path to the White House. Statistician Nate Silver estimates that Harris has an almost 91% chance of winning if she secures Pennsylvania. With its 19 electoral votes, Pennsylvania would leave Harris with only 25 more votes needed to reach the 270-mark.
To achieve victory without Pennsylvania, Harris would need to win Wisconsin and Michigan, where she currently has a narrow lead, along with at least two other swing states where Trump has an edge. This could include adding North Carolina and Georgia or combining Arizona, Nevada, and either North Carolina or Georgia. However, this path to victory is more challenging and relies on multiple state wins.
Therefore, capturing Pennsylvania is of utmost importance for Harris, as it significantly increases her chances of winning the election. The state's large number of electoral votes and its position as the biggest battleground state make it a critical target for Harris' campaign.
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She also needs Wisconsin and Michigan
Kamala Harris, the former vice president of the United States, launched her presidential campaign in July 2024, following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race and his endorsement of her. Harris became the Democratic nominee and selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. However, she lost the election to the Republican nominees, former President Donald Trump, and Ohio Senator JD Vance.
Harris's defeat in the 2024 presidential election has been attributed to losses in several key states, including Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. These states are often referred to as the "blue wall" states, and winning them was considered crucial for Harris's campaign.
Wisconsin and Michigan have traditionally been closely contested states in presidential elections. Both states have a mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas, with diverse economies and demographics. In the 2024 election, Trump's campaign successfully appealed to these states' independent and swing voters, as well as energized his base. Harris, on the other hand, struggled to match Trump's level of support in these states, despite her strong record and policy proposals.
To win Wisconsin and Michigan in future elections, Harris and the Democratic Party will need to develop strategies that resonate with the unique concerns and priorities of voters in these states. This may include focusing on economic issues, such as job creation and trade policies that benefit the states' key industries, as well as addressing social and cultural concerns that may have influenced voters' decisions. It will be important for Harris to connect with voters on a personal level and demonstrate an understanding of the local issues that matter to them.
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Plus one congressional district in Nebraska
In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are in a close race to reach the 270 electoral college votes needed to win the presidency. Harris could theoretically reach exactly 270 votes by winning one electoral vote in Nebraska, in addition to winning all the votes in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
Nebraska has three electoral votes, and it is one of two states (the other being Maine) that does not use a winner-takes-all system to allocate its electoral votes. Instead, the winner of the popular vote in each congressional district receives one electoral vote, and the statewide winner receives two electoral votes. Nebraska's 1st congressional district encompasses most of the state's eastern quarter, including the state capital Lincoln, and the cities of Bellevue, Fremont, and Norfolk. The district also includes portions of Sarpy and Polk counties.
Nebraska's 1st congressional district holds one electoral vote, and it is a potential target for Harris's campaign as it has been more closely contested in recent elections than the rest of the state. By winning this district, Harris could secure one electoral vote that could be crucial in reaching the 270-vote threshold. This strategy of targeting specific congressional districts in addition to states illustrates the complexity of the U.S. electoral system and the importance of understanding the distribution of votes across different regions.
The focus on Nebraska's 1st congressional district also highlights the impact of redistricting, which occurs following each census. The boundaries of this district have been adjusted based on the 2010 and 2020 censuses, potentially influencing the political landscape and the allocation of electoral votes. The district's characteristics, such as its urban or rural composition and the ideological leanings of its residents, can also play a role in the electoral strategies of the campaigns.
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Harris must win North Carolina and Georgia
With 226 electoral votes, Vice President Kamala Harris is currently projected to be behind former President Donald Trump, who has 267 electoral votes. To secure the presidency, 270 votes are required.
There are seven key swing states that collectively account for 93 electoral votes, which will determine the final outcome. These states are Pennsylvania (19 electoral votes), Georgia and North Carolina (16 each), Michigan (15), Arizona (11), Wisconsin (10), and Nevada (6).
North Carolina has been a competitive battleground state since the late 2000s, with a narrow margin of victory in every presidential election since 2008. The state has seen rapid population growth since 2020, which may have shifted the political balance in the Democrats' favor. However, voter registration statistics show an increase in registered Republicans and a decrease in registered Democrats. North Carolina's 16 electoral votes are strategically important for both campaigns, and if Harris can win this state, along with Georgia, she will have a likely route to victory.
Georgia is another crucial state for Harris, as it is one of the "blue wall" states that traditionally support Democrats but went for Trump in 2016. With 16 electoral votes at stake, both Harris and Trump have spent significant time campaigning in Georgia. If Harris can hold the "blue wall" states of Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia, she will have the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency.
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Or, she can win with Arizona and Nevada
In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are in a tight race to reach the 270 electoral college votes required to win the presidency. There are seven key battleground states that will determine the final outcome, accounting for 93 electoral votes collectively. These states are Pennsylvania (19 electoral votes), Georgia and North Carolina (16 each), Michigan (15), Arizona (11), Wisconsin (10), and Nevada (6).
While Trump has been projected to win Pennsylvania, giving him 267 of the required 270 electoral votes, Harris supporters are hoping for victories in Arizona, Nevada, and Michigan to keep her in the race. Arizona and Nevada, with their 11 and 6 electoral votes, respectively, could be crucial in preventing Trump from reaching the 270-vote threshold and securing his return to the Oval Office.
It's important to note that multiple combinations of state wins are possible for both candidates to reach the required 270 electoral votes. The race remains close, and the final outcome will depend on the results in these key swing states.
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Frequently asked questions
Kamala Harris needs to win the swing states of Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin and Nevada.
Kamala Harris has won in California, New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, and New Hampshire.
Swing states are those that do not consistently vote for one party and can swing between Democrats and Republicans. These include Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina, and Nevada.
The "blue wall" refers to a block of states around the Great Lakes that had reliably voted for Democratic candidates for 30 years until Trump won several of them in 2016. These states include Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
