US Presidential Election: A Tight Race Between Trump and Harris
With the US presidential election just weeks away, the race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is extremely close. Emory University political science professor Zachary Peskowitz predicts a “nail-biter” election with no clear leader in the seven swing states.
Electoral College and Popular Vote
Peskowitz explains that both the electoral college and the popular vote are expected to be very close, possibly within two or three percentage points. There is even a chance of a tie in the electoral college, which would send the decision to the US House of Representatives.
Key Issues and Voter Mobilization
The election’s outcome will depend heavily on voter mobilization in the final weeks. Key issues include the economy, immigration, and abortion rights. While foreign policy is a minor consideration for most voters, the economy remains the most significant issue, especially with high inflation rates.
Impact of Indian-American Voters
Indian-Americans, though a small segment, could play a crucial role in swing states like Georgia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. They generally lean Democratic, which could benefit Harris.
Debates and Political Climate
Peskowitz believes presidential debates have minimal impact on election outcomes. The political climate is intense, with issues like abortion and immigration being pivotal. The economy, with its mixed indicators, is the most critical issue for voters.
Doubts Revealed
Donald Trump -: Donald Trump is a businessman and politician who was the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021. He is known for his strong opinions and policies on immigration and the economy.
Kamala Harris -: Kamala Harris is the Vice President of the United States, serving since 2021. She is the first female Vice President and is known for her work on justice and equality issues.
US Presidential Election -: The US Presidential Election is a process where citizens of the United States vote to elect their President. It happens every four years, and the next one is coming up soon.
Swing States -: Swing states are states in the US where both major political parties have similar levels of support among voters. These states are important because they can decide the outcome of the election.
Electoral College -: The Electoral College is a group of people who officially elect the President of the United States. Each state has a certain number of electors based on its population, and most states give all their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the most votes in that state.
Popular Vote -: The popular vote is the total number of votes cast by citizens in an election. In the US, the candidate who wins the most votes nationwide doesn’t always become President because of the Electoral College system.
Voter Mobilization -: Voter mobilization is the effort to encourage people to register and vote in elections. It is important because higher voter turnout can influence the outcome of an election.
Indian-Americans -: Indian-Americans are people in the United States who have Indian ancestry. They are a growing community and can have a significant impact on elections, especially in swing states.
Debates -: Debates are events where candidates discuss their views on important issues. They help voters understand the candidates’ positions, but in this election, they are not expected to change many voters’ minds.