As Americans prepare to head to the polls on Tuesday, the presidential race is entering its final stretch, with both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump making one last, intense push for votes in key battleground states. This election is shaping up to be one of the closest in modern history, and both candidates are aiming to sway undecided voters in the states that will ultimately decide the outcome.
Harris Seeks a “Fresh Start” as Momentum Builds
In the final hours of campaigning, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris urged voters to embrace a “fresh start” for America. Speaking at her last rally outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Pennsylvania — one of the most crucial swing states — Harris claimed that the momentum was on her side as she urged supporters to head to the polls.
“So America, it comes down to this. One more day, just one more day in the most consequential election of our lifetime. And the momentum is on our side,” Harris told the crowd.
She was campaigning in Pennsylvania, a state she and the Biden campaign have focused on heavily in recent days. In a message that aimed to unify, Harris also took time to address concerns in the Latino community, particularly following controversial remarks made by a comedian at a Trump rally about Puerto Rico. “We are fighting for a democracy right now,” Harris said, emphasizing that disagreement should never lead to division.
Harris was joined by prominent figures like Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and rapper Fat Joe, who both urged Latino voters to support her candidacy. “Where is your orgullo? Where is your pride?” Fat Joe asked the crowd, calling for unity and action.
Trump Promises a “Golden Age” and Appeals to Women Voters
On the other side of the race, former President Donald Trump crisscrossed several key battleground states, including Pennsylvania and Michigan, making his case for why he deserves a second term in office. In Pittsburgh, Trump promised supporters that a second term would bring about a “golden age” for America, emphasizing economic prosperity and national security.
“This is the last one,” Trump said at his Grand Rapids rally, referring to his final event of the campaign. “If we get out our people, it’s over, there’s nothing they can do about it. To make you feel a little guilty, we would only have you to blame.”
Trump’s national polling numbers are trailing slightly behind Harris, with the vice president holding a narrow 1.5-point lead, according to the Financial Times poll tracker. However, in the swing states, the race is much tighter. Harris is leading in Michigan and Wisconsin, but Trump holds a slight edge in key states like Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, and Arizona.
Trump’s messaging on the economy and immigration has been central to his final push. At rallies, he spoke directly to female voters, who were holding “Women for Trump” signs in Reading, Pennsylvania. In Pittsburgh, he also garnered support from former Fox News host Megyn Kelly and podcaster Joe Rogan, both of whom endorsed his campaign.
“A vote for Trump means your groceries will be cheaper,” Trump said at his Pittsburgh rally. “Your paychecks will be higher, your streets will be safer, and your communities will be richer.”
Despite his efforts to focus on a positive economic message, Trump’s rhetoric has often been marred by attacks on his political opponents. During his Michigan rally, Trump called Harris a “very low IQ person” and a “radical left lunatic,” continuing his strategy of personal attacks on his rivals.
A Tense, Unpredictable Race
While both campaigns are confident in their strategies, there is widespread acknowledgment that the final result could take days to determine, especially in swing states like Pennsylvania, where counting mail-in ballots could delay an official outcome. Jen O’Malley Dillon, campaign chair for Harris, told reporters, “We are very focused on staying calm and confident throughout this period,” as both campaigns prepare for what could be a drawn-out election process.
Early results from Dixville Notch, New Hampshire — traditionally one of the first polling places to report — showed a tie, with both Trump and Harris receiving three votes each.
High-Stakes Campaigning and Cross-Country Support
As the election comes to a close, voters like Renée Hughes, a retiree who traveled from Sitges, Spain, to attend Trump’s Pittsburgh rally, reflect the high stakes of this race. “We have to get our country back,” Hughes said. “We’ve become an embarrassment. Trump is a real person. He gets us, the normal people, not the elites.”
But not all voters are fully committed. Holly Gallogly, a retired teacher from Pittsburgh who voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020, expressed her concerns over the negative rhetoric that has defined much of the campaign. “In the past few months I have moved to become undecided because I struggle with the hate rhetoric,” she said, highlighting the complex decision many voters face in this polarizing election.
With Election Day fast approaching, both Harris and Trump are pushing forward with one last effort to persuade voters, knowing that the outcome could hinge on just a few thousand votes in the most contested battleground states. As the race enters its final stretch, every rally, every speech, and every vote will count toward what promises to be one of the most closely watched elections in recent history.
