EXPLAINER
A handful of US states play an outsized role in deciding presidential elections. Which are analysts watching this year?
In the United States presidential election, certain states known as “swing states” hold significant importance as they have the potential to sway the outcome of the national election. These battleground states are fiercely contested and can make or break the dreams of aspiring national figures.
Presidential elections in the US are not determined by the popular vote but by the Electoral College system. Therefore, swing states, where the race is narrowly contested, can play a crucial role in deciding the winner. As most states consistently vote for one party, swing states hold a pivotal position in the election.
This year, states like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada, and Minnesota, along with North Carolina, are under close scrutiny as Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are engaged in a tight battle. Polling averages in these swing states show a close race, indicating a highly competitive election with potential for a cliffhanger finish in November.