SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)—Early voting will soon begin for this year’s Presidential Election and a list of states have already been called into focus, the “Battleground States.”
Battleground States are areas with an easily influenced electorate, where the two candidates for President — Republican Former President Donald J. Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris — will consolidate most of their resources in the final stretch of the race to earn 270 Electoral College votes to secure the Presidency.
This year, there are fewer truly competitive states than ever before in a Presidential Campaign, with only seven of the 50 states not locked in for either candidate. In addition, two states may even split their votes for the two candidates.
To better understand these terms, here are the Battleground States and Districts for the 2024 United States Presidential Election.
Battleground States
Georgia (16 Electoral Votes)
The Peach State had the closest margin of victory in 2020 and has become a swing state due to its shifting margins. What was once a reliable Southern Democratic state turned Republican red in recent decades and is now up for grabs for either candidate in November.
Vice President Harris has made two visits to the state since her campaign started in late July, including a rally in Atlanta on July 30 and a two-day visit to Savannah on Aug. 28-29.
Past election results:
2008: McCain (R) +5
2012: Romney (R) +8
2016: Trump (R) +5
2020: Biden (D) +0.2
Wisconsin (10 Electoral Votes)
The Dairy State has long been a battleground and has consistent swing tendencies. It has two senators from two different parties; a rarity with today’s polarized electorate: Democrat Tammy Baldwin, who is up for re-election this year, and Republican Ron Johnson, both of whom represent deep ideological factions of their respective parties.
President Barack Obama won the state handily in 2008 by 14 points, then by half the margin in 2012. Donald Trump etched out a victory of less than one point in 2016, or 22,000 votes, a margin that was nearly replicated by President Joe Biden in 2020 when he won the state by just north of 20,000 votes. Whether Harris or Trump wins, the margin could be razor-thin once again.
Past election results:
2008: Obama (D) +14
2012: Obama (D) +7
2016: Trump (R) +0.8
2020: Biden (D) +0.6
Michigan (15 Electoral Votes)
America’s Midwestern Mitten has been Democratic-leaning for some years, but Trump’s candidacy in 2016 swung the electorate. This is due in large part to the Republican’s messaging on the outsourcing of auto-manufacturing jobs, a historic hallmark of the state’s industry and economy that has dwindled in recent decades.
Democrat Joe Biden was able to rebuild a portion of the Obama coalition from elections prior, but current protests stemming from the ongoing Israel-Palestine War against the incumbent administration have cast a dubious cloud over the Harris campaign’s potential success in the state.
Past election results:
2008: Obama (D) +16
2012: Obama (D) +9
2016: Trump (R) +0.2
2020: Biden (D) +3
Arizona (11 Electoral Votes)
The Grand Canyon State was home to Barry Goldwater and John McCain. Now, it is home to Kyrsten Sinema, Mark Kelly, and Katie Hobbs, Democrats who have won by narrow margins over the past six years.
Joe Biden also won the state in 2020 by less than a percentage point. Donald Trump had won by three percent four years prior, itself a decrease from previous years’ Republican stride. Trump caused a stir in that campaign by brushing off John McCain’s decorated Military service and captivity during the Vietnam War.
“He’s not a war hero,” Trump said. “He is a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.”
The secret weapon that Democrats had in their inventory in 2020 was Cindy McCain, widow of John. That year she endorsed Biden, and now in 2024, the McCain family has vowed their support for Kamala Harris.
The race in Arizona will come down to suburban votes, particularly suburban women, in Maricopa County, home to the largest suburban area in the United States and the county that contains 62% of the entire state population.
Past election results:
2008: McCain (R) +9
2012: Romney (R) +9
2016: Trump (R) +3
2020: Biden (D) +0.3
Nevada (6 Electoral Votes)
Republicans have gambled with the Silver State in recent years, and it has paid off on the state level. In 2022, the GOP won back the Governorship with the election of Joe Lombardo; the only gubernatorial pickup for the party in any state.
Polling has shown a closer-than-usual race in the state, including a slew of polls earlier in the year that had Trump in a healthy lead. As Nevada is a tourism-driven state, the condition of the economy is often an essential, deciding factor to the electorate.
A backlash to the ongoing inflation seen under the Biden-Harris administration could help Trump cross the finish line.
Past election results:
2008: Obama (D) +12
2012: Obama (D) +7
2016: Clinton (D) +2
2020: Biden (D) +2
North Carolina (16 Electoral Votes)
The Tar Heel State has flirted with the Democratic Party in recent years but maintains a conservative streak. If Harris were to win this state, it would likely be the only Presidential statewide gain for Democrats this election cycle.
North Carolina has an outgoing Democratic Governor, Roy Cooper, who was considered among Harris’ choices for Vice President earlier in the summer.
Now, the choice for Cooper’s successor as Governor is on the ballot. The Democrat in that race, Josh Stein, has held a heavy lead in polling due to his embattled Republican challenger, and the Harris Campaign as well as other statewide Democrats believe they can ride the coattails of Stein.
Past election results:
2008: Obama (D) +0.3
2012: Romney (R) +2
2016: Trump (R) +4
2020: Trump (R) +1
Pennsylvania (19 Electoral Votes)
It’s called the Keystone State for a reason.
Pennsylvania, a state rich in industry, coal and home to the City of Brotherly Love may be the most treasured prize for both campaigns this election cycle. The Harris and Trump campaigns have spent plenty of time and money barnstorming the state.
President Joe Biden was born in Scranton, Pa., and his hometown-hero approach to the 2020 campaign helped make inroads in a state that voted for Trump by a little less than a point four years prior.
However, the 2024 race reached a dark point in the state this past July when a gunman shot at Trump at a rally in Butler Township outside of Pittsburgh. Trump survived the attempted assassination and the outpouring of support from the state may translate into sympathy from voters.
Harris, on the other hand, has a chance to get a big boost from Voters of Color, a strong base for the Democratic Party who, according to recent polling, are more supportive of her candidacy than they were of Biden’s bid for re-election. Turnout will likely play a massive role in who wins the state.
Past election results:
2008: Obama (D) +10
2012: Obama (D) +5
2016: Trump (R) +1
2020: Biden (D) +1
Two states delegate electoral votes according to congressional district, the states of Nebraska and Maine. As a result, both have one district that is competitive this election cycle and could result in either candidate losing or securing two votes.
In a tight race, these two votes mean a great deal.
Nebraska’s Second Congressional District
This district encompasses all of Omaha, the largest city in the state of Nebraska. As a result, its urban base gives it Democratic fuel when it comes to elections. This is the only Democrat-leaning area in the state, which makes the district competitive.
Currently, the district is represented in Congress by a Republican, Don Bacon, who is consistently elected by a small margin.
Past election results:
2008: Obama (D) +1
2012: Romney (R) +7
2016: Trump (R) +2
2020: Biden (D) +6
Maine’s Second Congressional District
The widest of Maine’s two districts has a heavy independent streak. This mostly rural area covers all of the state north of Portland but includes the cities of Bangor, Lewiston and Auburn.
Barack Obama won this district by double-digits in his first run, then by nine points four years later. Trump influenced a heavy swing for the voters in the region in his 2016 campaign, with a slight decrease four years later. Recent polling has shown a closer-than-expected race.
The district is represented in Congress by Jared Golden, a Democrat who often breaks with his party on fiscal issues. Golden has not endorsed either candidate for President this year.
Past election results:
2008: Obama (D) +12
2012: Obama (D) +9
2016: Trump (R) +10
2020: Trump (D) +7
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