With Election Day just hours away, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are making a last-ditch effort to rally voters in one of the most hotly contested presidential races in recent history. Both candidates are crisscrossing crucial battleground states, hoping to sway undecided voters and solidify their base in a tight race that could come down to a handful of swing states.
Harris Says America is Ready for a “Fresh Start”
In her final campaign push, Kamala Harris expressed confidence that America is ready for a “fresh start.” Speaking to a crowd outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Pennsylvania, one of the key swing states that could decide the election, Harris told voters that the momentum was on her side.
“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 declared, encouraging her supporters to make their voices heard.
Harris also focused on connecting with Latino voters in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, home to a large Puerto Rican community, after controversial remarks were made by a comedian at a Trump rally in New York about Puerto Rico. “We are fighting for a democracy right now,” she said, appealing to unity and democratic values.
Joined by progressive figures like Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and rapper Fat Joe, Harris made a strong push for Latino support. Fat Joe rallied the crowd, saying, “Where is your orgullo? Where is your pride?” urging the Latino community to stand with Harris and her vision for the future.
Trump Promises “Golden Age” for America
On the other side of the campaign trail, Donald Trump made his final pitch in key states like Pennsylvania and Michigan, emphasizing his promise of a “golden age” for America if he were to secure a second term. In Pittsburgh, Trump told supporters that his presidency would result in lower costs, higher wages, and safer communities.
“This is the last one,” Trump said at his rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, telling the crowd that if they turned out in full force, victory was within reach. “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 message has centered around economic prosperity and security, appealing to voters in swing states where the race remains extremely close. Nationally, Harris holds a slight edge in the polls — around a 1.5 percentage point lead — but Trump leads in key battlegrounds such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, and Arizona.
At his rally in Reading, Pennsylvania, Trump made a point to appeal to female voters, with women holding up “Women for Trump” signs as he addressed them directly. In Pittsburgh, Trump was joined by high-profile figures like former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly and podcaster Joe Rogan, both of whom have a strong following among Trump’s base.
“A vote for Trump means your groceries will be cheaper. Your paychecks will be higher. Your streets will be safer, and your communities will be richer,” Trump promised, framing his campaign as one that would ensure a brighter future for all Americans.
A Tight Race as Election Day Looms
As both campaigns gear up for the final push, the race remains incredibly tight. While Harris’s campaign remains confident, with senior officials saying they expect undecided voters to swing in their favor, they acknowledge that the outcome may take days to determine.
“We are very focused on staying calm and confident throughout this period,” said Jen O’Malley Dillon, Harris’s campaign manager, signaling that they were ready for a potentially drawn-out vote counting process.
In Dixville Notch, New Hampshire — one of the first towns to report election results — the race was already too close to call, with both Harris and Trump securing three votes apiece, highlighting the narrow margins that will define the election.
Passionate Supporters on Both Sides
As Election Day approaches, both candidates have rallied passionate supporters, many of whom have traveled long distances to attend rallies. Renée Hughes, a retiree who flew from Sitges, Spain, to attend Trump’s Pittsburgh rally, said she believes the country needs a change. “We have to get our country back. We’ve become an embarrassment. Trump is a real person. He gets us, the normal people, not the elites,” Hughes said.
On the other hand, some voters remain conflicted. Holly Gallogly, a retired teacher from Pittsburgh, expressed that while she had supported Trump in the past, she has become disillusioned by the tone of his campaign. “In the past few months, I have moved to become undecided because I struggle with the hate rhetoric,” she said, reflecting the division many voters feel heading into the final hours of the race.
The Stakes of the 2024 Election
The 2024 presidential race is shaping up to be one of the closest in modern U.S. history, with every vote in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina, and Arizona set to play a critical role in determining the winner. Both Harris and Trump are pulling out all the stops, aware that the election could be decided by just a few thousand votes in key states.
As the final days of campaigning come to a close, both candidates are focused on energizing their bases and persuading undecided voters. The outcome remains uncertain, but the stakes have never been higher. With both sides pushing hard in the final stretch, Americans are preparing to make their voices heard at the polls — and the result may take days to fully emerge.
With the entire nation watching, the 2024 election is poised to be a historic moment in U.S. politics, and the final push by Harris and Trump may be the determining factor in one of the most closely watched presidential contests in decades.
