WASHINGTON: As the 2024 U.S. presidential election unfolds, the race remains close with former President Donald Trump won 24 states while Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, hoping to become the first woman elected president, captured 17 states.
According to early projections, Trump has secured 232 electoral votes, while Harris has 212, with the key threshold for victory set at 270 electoral votes.
Early Trends in Battleground States
Colorado: Vice President Kamala Harris has won 10 electoral votes in Colorado state.
The state last supported a Republican candidate in 2004, when it backed George W. Bush, but has since consistently favored Democratic nominees, with Joe Biden winning by a significant margin in 2020.
Texas: Trump holds a strong lead with 53.5% of the vote (3,890,132 votes), while Harris trails with 45.3% (3,287,696 votes). Texas’ 40 electoral votes are seen as a major factor, and Trump’s lead is expected to hold as more votes are counted.
New Hampshire: Harris is currently ahead with 54.5% of the vote (156,263 votes) compared to Trump’s 44.5% (127,639 votes). With 35% of the vote counted, Harris maintains a slim lead in this small swing state, which carries 4 electoral votes.
Virginia: A tight race is unfolding in Virginia, where Trump leads by a narrow margin with 49.8% (1,173,484 votes) over Harris, who has 48.5% (1,141,711 votes). With nearly half the votes counted, the state’s 13 electoral votes are still too close to call.
North Carolina: Trump is leading with 51.9% of the vote (1,228,448 votes), while Harris has 47.1% (1,115,048 votes). With 40% of the votes counted, Trump maintains a slight edge in this important battleground state, which has 16 electoral votes.
Georgia: Trump is ahead with 52.5% of the vote (1,928,393 votes) compared to Harris’ 46.9% (1,719,963 votes). With 68% of the votes counted, Trump’s lead in Georgia, which also has 16 electoral votes, is significant, though the final outcome will depend on the distribution of remaining votes.
As the election continues, both candidates are focused on securing the remaining states needed to reach the 270-electoral-vote threshold and claim victory.
US Senate Election Results
In addition to the presidential race, Republicans are favoured to gain control of the Congress.
In the Senate election, Republicans have gained nine new seats, bringing their total to 48, while Democrats have won six seats, giving them 38.
A swing of three more seats for Republicans would flip the chamber, as 51 seats are needed in the 100-member Senate, upper house of the Congress, for a majority.
House of Representatives
The Republicans are also leading in the House of Representatives elections. They have secured 162 of the 435 seats, while Democrats have claimed 112.
A majority in the lower house requires 218 seats, making this contest highly competitive.
The current results suggest the possibility of a divided Congress, as both parties vie for crucial seats across the nation.
