Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump are making a last-minute push in North Carolina on Saturday, each vying for support in this critical battleground state just days ahead of Tuesday’s U.S. presidential election. Saturday marks the fourth consecutive day that Vice President Harris and former President Trump are scheduled to visit the same state, underscoring the importance of the seven battleground states that could ultimately decide the election. Polls suggest the race remains extremely tight, with voters split nearly evenly.
With more than 70 million Americans having already voted, enthusiasm remains high despite fewer early ballots compared to 2020. This is partly attributed to the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic during the last election cycle. North Carolina, where over 3.8 million ballots have already been cast, will close its early voting Saturday, even as parts of the state are still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Helene’s recent flooding.
Harris is set to make an appearance with musician Jon Bon Jovi in Charlotte, North Carolina’s largest city, which is tied with Georgia for being one of the most valuable swing states, each holding 16 Electoral College votes. In 2020, North Carolina went narrowly for Trump, though a Democratic governor was elected on the same day, suggesting the state could swing in either direction. “It is my plan and intention to continue to invest in American manufacturing, the work being done by American workers, upholding and lifting up good union jobs,” Harris stated earlier in Wisconsin before departing for North Carolina. “That is the way we are going to win the competition with China for the 21st century.”
Trump, meanwhile, will address supporters in Gastonia at noon before returning to speak at Greensboro’s First Horizon Coliseum later in the day. “This election is a choice between whether we … have four more years of gross incompetence and failure, or whether we will begin the four greatest years in the history of our country,” Trump told a crowd in Michigan on Friday.
Policy Differences
Harris and Trump represent starkly different positions on key issues such as Ukraine and NATO support, abortion rights, immigration, taxes, democratic values, and trade tariffs. These policy divides reflect deep-rooted distinctions between the Democratic and Republican parties.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson recently sparked debate by suggesting that, under a Republican-controlled Congress, Trump might repeal the CHIPS Act—a $50 billion initiative from Biden’s administration aimed at bolstering U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. Johnson later clarified that while the act would not be repealed, it might be streamlined to reduce regulations. Harris used Johnson’s comments to underscore what she has described as Trump’s “Project 2025,” a plan to reshape U.S. government policies with guidance from many of Trump’s closest allies.
Over the past several days, Harris and Trump have campaigned intensively across battleground states like North Carolina, Nevada, and Wisconsin, sometimes holding events within a few miles of each other. Their efforts signal the extraordinary focus on securing votes in swing states, where outcomes are uncertain, while other states remain firmly Democratic or Republican.
Despite the close contest in North Carolina, Trump is also scheduled to campaign in Virginia on Saturday, a state where polls currently favor Harris. Harris, in turn, plans to head to Georgia, another crucial swing state, where speakers such as director Spike Lee and singer Victoria Monet will join her rally. Georgia, a state that Biden narrowly won by 0.3 percentage points in 2020, is a priority for Democrats who are counting on strong support from Black voters, who represent over 12% of the state’s population. Hispanic voters, nearly 19% of Georgia’s population, are also being actively courted, with Trump holding a slight polling edge of 1.6 percentage points over Harris, according to FiveThirtyEight.
Mobilizing the Final Votes
With the election only days away, Harris’s campaign has announced plans to hold simultaneous organizing events across all seven battleground states on Monday, aiming to mobilize last-minute voters. This coordinated effort is part of a broader strategy to reach voters in areas that may sway the outcome of the election, including urban centers and diverse communities where voter turnout is crucial for both parties.
The Final Countdown in North Carolina and Beyond
As the clock ticks down, the intense efforts of Harris and Trump in North Carolina reflect the razor-thin margins that could define the 2024 U.S. presidential election. With both candidates focusing heavily on pivotal states, every vote counts in this tightly contested race that has drawn the nation’s attention. North Carolina, Georgia, and other swing states are expected to play a decisive role, making these last campaign efforts crucial in determining the next leader of the United States.
