The US presidential race is razor-thin, according to polls released on Sunday, just two days before Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are set to engage in their first — and possibly only — televised debate.
The latest data confirms Trump maintains steadfast support from roughly half of the electorate, despite his unprecedented status as a convicted felon and his involvement in the attempt to overturn his 2020 defeat to Joe Biden.
Harris, who entered the race after President Biden withdrew in July, has quickly gone from a relatively low-profile vice president to a serious contender. Yet, polls show she hasn’t made a decisive impact, leaving the race up in the air.
A New York Times/Siena poll shows 78-year-old Trump leading Harris by 48% to 47% nationally, which falls within the margin of error.
Since US presidential elections hinge on state-by-state results, a few key swing states typically decide the outcome. The poll indicates Harris holds slim leads in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, and is tied with Trump in swing states such as Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina, and Arizona.
A separate CBS News/YouGov poll found Harris leading by one point in Michigan and Wisconsin, while being tied with Trump in Pennsylvania.
This election has already been tumultuous, with 81-year-old Biden stepping down over age concerns, Trump surviving an assassination attempt, and mounting worries that Trump may once again refuse to concede if defeated in November.
Still, polling shows each candidate has a solid base of supporters, keeping the race evenly divided.
A key turning point could be the ABC News debate on Tuesday, the sole debate between the two candidates. Trump faces the challenge of tempering his usual use of insults, while Harris aims to connect with voters in a way she struggled to do as vice president, especially in her shortened campaign.
At 78, Trump is now the oldest nominee in US history. Meanwhile, Harris is positioning herself with a message of optimism and progress, contrasting Trump’s darker portrayal of a nation in decline. However, she’s been criticized for focusing more on unity than presenting detailed policies.
Responding to this criticism, her campaign released a policy page late Sunday addressing issues such as union support, cost-of-living concerns, and healthcare.
