With only 20 days left before Election Day, when voters will have their final say on who they want to be the next president of the United States, both candidates appear locked in a dead heat as they race toward the White House.
According to the latest NBC News poll, former President Donald Trump has closed Vice President Kamala Harris’s national lead, both candidates now tied at 48 percent apiece.
As of Tuesday, 538’s election simulator forecasts a Harris victory 54 times out of 100.
However, aside from Arizona and Georgia, where Trump leads by 1.6 and 1.1 points, respectively, 538’s polling aggregates show the candidates separated by less than a point in the remainder of the battlegrounds. With margins so narrow, just a few thousand votes could determine the outcome in this year’s crucial swing states, and the election as a whole.
In an online poll, we asked: ‘Who will win the 2024 election?’ Over a thousand readers took part, with Harris achieving a slight lead over her rival. Newsweek readers from both camps also wrote in to share their predictions – and thoughts – on who will be crowned victorious in the 2024 presidential election. Here is a selection of those comments, lightly edited for clarity. The results of the poll are at the end of this article.
Donald Trump
In my opinion, his experience by far outshines that of Harris. Trump’s intuition is right on target and he cares for the country. He’s capable of dealing with the global political master-minds, whereas Harris’s capability here is doubtful. In my opinion, his actual opinion re. Ukraine is more favorable towards the E.U. stance than seems apparent. And the “proof in the pudding” is that with him we had no wars and small businesses were not hampered by the many restrictions Democrats, who wish to control everything and everyone, place on them. That’s my story and I’m sticking with it – An Independent voter. Maija Collins
Kamala Harris
Donald is not competent. He has no ideas. His concepts are from the Heritage Foundation. He is a puppet, and Heritage is running the show. He is emulating Orban. He is a copycat politician. He cannot think on his own. He is too old, and he is divisive. He is also very disrespectful toward woman and those who do not agree with. Why is he a candidate? A convicted felon and sexual assaulter. This is a disgrace. Taylor Thompson
Donald Trump
I am sad to say but I think Trump is going to win. He has a very dedicated fan base and viewed from over here in the UK it looks as if the GOP and Trump himself have done a good job in stacking the electoral system towards themselves. He is of course a very divisive figure so those states which are Republican and those that a Democrat are more firm in their standing. However, odd as it might be I think those swing states will regard Trump as the safest option domestically and able to play the hard man abroad. I really hope I’m wrong but I think Trump will win (but is likely to pass away from ill health whilst in office do it’s the VP one needs to think about). Rabbi Adam Frankenberg
Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris has the only positive forward looking agenda. She is about building on greatness and acknowledging and correcting mistakes. She has put forth an economic plan than will include the working and marginal economic class of people so they can benefit from their work and have a real place in the American experiment. A place where we all can benefit and not be “trickled” upon. She is about the fair, equitable and just rule of law and will address the violence, drugs, and guns in our streets and those who illegally ply those illegal trades. Her plan is to defend the Constitution, not dismamle it, to encourage women’s AND men’s rights, not to abolish them. To promote civility and fair justice not hate and personal vengeance. She is what a President should be and the antithesis of her opponent. Michael J. Foy
Rebecca Noble/Getty Images
Donald Trump
Like him or loath him, Trump is a known quantity. Whereas the more voters see of Kamala, the less they seem to like or trust her. Messages from the Harris campaign seem disjointed, with confusing messages on where the country is on the economy and immigration versus what she would do about them. In contrast, Trump’s policies seem relatively clear. His slight leads in the swing States should see him safe enough to reach the White House – barring any late blow-ups. Patrick Cusworth
Kamala Harris
Trump won in 2016, surprising everyone. Since then, he has become electoral poison for the GOP. 2024 will not see that trend change. Trump will continue to act Ike an anchor on the Republican Party, drowning its electoral prospects in an election it could have won had to gone with almost any other candidate. Nicholas Creel
Donald Trump
The polls are currently favoring Donald Trump for winning the electoral college and in the past they have all *underestimated* Trump. Moreover, Kamala Harris has generated pristine advertising material for her opponent in her poor interviews and public communications. I have a hard time seeing her turn things around. Nate Spencer
Kamala Harris
A better quality candidate. The excitement is real. I’ll promise her win will be larger than Biden’s watch the polls. I find 75 percent-plus are polls done by conservative leaning companies. Again she leads with minorities, with woman and with the college educated. She will get 40 percent of the white non-college-educated. I think the race will prove to be a near landslide and down ballot democrat candidates will also fair very well. Michael Hathaway
Donald Trump
They both have history of performance in office. They’ve both proven themselves. If Trump can hold his tongue, he’ll swing some undecideds. Harris has no voice, no platform, no stance, nothing to run on but failed policies. Trump-hate is all she has going for her. Meegan Holman
Kamala Harris
Although I am registered Democrat, I really vote for the best candidate regardless of her/his party affiliation. Donald Trump speeches are always divisive. Life is too short to be hating each other. We need a person that erases the “you are not with me, then I hate you.” Hilton Solis
Donald Trump
Our lives were better when Trump was in office and that comes from most of the people that I talk to in person and online. These last four years have been a struggle. Trump represents the values and morals closest to mine too. Candice Dunn
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Kamala Harris
She is not a convicted felon. She stands for the rule of law. She speaks the truth to the people. She is thought to be honest and intelligent by world leaders and has their respect. She listens and learns from others. Steven R Sager
Donald Trump
Because if he doesn’t this world is screwed, She hasn’t done anything in her career and makes a lot of promises that she should have already done. For goodness sake people, vote Trump! Melinda Farmer
Kamala Harris
Mrs. Harris has shown herself to be sincere, trustworthy, and attuned to the people’s aspirations, unlike Mr. Trump, whose actions and character were defined by falsehood and self-interest. Lam Tran
Donald Trump
He just says what is on his mind, directly. We know absolutely everything about him as he has been investigated by everyone. Quite simply, You know what he is about. Katherine Patricia Reardon
Kamala Harris
Integrity; Trump has none. Project 2025 is terrifying. I’m 81 years old, and I can’t bear the thought that democracy might die before I do! Pamela Morse
Donald Trump
Because America has his back and he is the only one that can straighten out this terrible economy that Kamala and Joe left. Gwendolen Hayes
Kamala Harris
Her vision of a hopeful, decent America versus Trump’s chaos and fear-mongering will win her the election. Mark Ochalek
Donald Trump
Donald Trump might be not the man with the polished character, intellect, or political savvy the nation needs, but the alternative is extremely worse. Nash Nari
Kamala Harris
Trump I believe is delusional and is definitely a deranged individual who is a danger to the constitution of the U.S. He should never be allowed back in the White House! John Hansen
If you cannot see the poll above, the results to the question ‘who will win the 2024 election?’ were as follows:
Kamala Harris: 936
Donald Trump: 850
The poll was conducted online on Oct. 15 to Oct.16.
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