Early voting has officially commenced in Florida and Wisconsin, marking a significant step in the lead-up to the presidential election on November 5. Recent polling indicates that Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris are nearly tied, especially in crucial swing states that could determine the election outcome.
According to a survey published on Monday by The Washington Post, both candidates are neck-and-neck across seven battleground states. The poll revealed that approximately 47% of registered voters are likely to support Harris, while an equal percentage favors Trump. Among likely voters, 49% indicated they would back Harris compared to 48% for Trump.
Early voting is set to take place in 47 states, including the District of Columbia. In-person absentee voting started in Florida on Monday and will begin in Wisconsin on Tuesday. Typically, early voting spans two weeks leading up to the election and will conclude on November 3. Notably, Alabama, Mississippi, and New Hampshire are the only states that do not offer early voting options and require specific reasons to vote by mail.
The Washington Post poll, conducted in early October, involved over 5,000 registered voters and examined opinions from unregistered voters as well. This polling data comes as Trump has edged slightly ahead of Harris in an aggregate of surveys analyzed by FiveThirtyEight, though the difference remains minimal.
As both candidates ramp up their campaigning efforts, they are taking contrasting approaches. Trump was seen serving fries at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania, while Harris celebrated her 60th birthday at a church event in Georgia. She is also participating in moderated discussions with former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney in three battleground states. Harris's collaboration with Cheney has drawn mixed reactions, particularly from some Arab American communities due to Cheney's past support for the Iraq War. Trump has criticized the partnership, labeling Cheney a "War Hawk."
In critical states like Arizona and North Carolina, Trump maintains a slight advantage, with a six-point lead over Harris among registered voters in Arizona and a four-point lead in North Carolina. However, the margin narrows among likely voters. Conversely, Harris shows strong support in Georgia, leading Trump by six points among registered voters and four points among likely voters. She also has a narrow edge in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Fundraising efforts have also played a pivotal role in the campaigns, with Harris significantly outpacing Trump. In the third quarter of fundraising, Harris amassed $633 million, bringing her total to over $1 billion. Her campaign raised $359 million in October alone, while Trump reported raising $160 million in September and had $283 million available at the start of October.
In a separate legal development, the Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from Trump’s former associate, Michael Cohen, who had sued Trump for retaliation related to a controversial book. This decision comes after a lower court had dismissed Cohen's lawsuit.
With the election just weeks away, the race remains highly competitive, and early voting will be a critical factor in shaping the outcome.
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