With more than 60 million votes already cast in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are ramping up their campaigns in crucial swing states. Both candidates are making targeted appeals to voters, knowing that early turnout could be pivotal. Harris is emphasizing issues like women’s rights and equality, while Trump is focusing on immigration and border security. As both campaigns push hard in these strategic territories, the stakes continue to rise ahead of Election Day.

As the U.S. approaches Election Day next Tuesday, the nation remains divided between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Recent polls from CNN and SSRS indicate a statistical tie in key battlegrounds, with Harris slightly ahead in North Carolina (48% to 47%) and Trump holding a narrow lead in Georgia (48% to 47%).

Both candidates are intensifying their campaigns in crucial southern and western states. Trump held a rally in New Mexico, highlighting border issues and insisting he’s the only candidate capable of resolving illegal immigration. Despite his advisors advising against the visit, he urged supporters in Albuquerque to vote in large numbers, criticizing 2020 rival Joe Biden as a “little loser” who bowed to pressure from Harris and other Democrats.

Meanwhile, Kamala Harris is campaigning in the West and will join Jennifer Lopez at an event in Las Vegas. During a rally in Madison, she condemned Trump's recent remarks about women, calling them “very offensive” and asserting that he does not respect women's freedom to make their own choices. Harris has also announced that her election night event will take place at Howard University, her alma mater and a prominent historically Black college.

The political climate in Georgia and North Carolina underscores the competitive landscape nationwide. North Carolina, which voted for Obama in 2008, has leaned Republican in the past three elections, though Trump’s victory was marginal in 2020. Georgia experienced a significant shift in 2020 when Biden narrowly defeated Trump, marking the first Democratic win in the state since Bill Clinton in 1992.