Decisive day for the future of the United States: Americans go to the polls

This Tuesday, November 5, American voters have a date with history as they cast their ballots to determine who, between former Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, will occupy the White House until 2028. Polls opened at 6 a.m. on the East Coast (noon in Paris), kicking off this crucial election day.

With nearly 160 million registered voters, this election is characterized by an impressive level of early mobilization: almost half of all voters have already expressed their choice in advance or by absentee ballot. The two candidates are neck-and-neck in the polls, and the next head of state will need a majority of electors – a minimum of 270 out of the 538 at stake – to secure victory.

Seven key states at the heart of the US presidential election

This Tuesday, November 5, American voters go to the polls for a decisive election, and seven states will play a crucial role: Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, North Carolina, Nevada, Georgia and Wisconsin. These “swing” or pivotal states, far from being won by one party, can swing and decide the final outcome thanks to their “winner takes all” voting system, which awards all the electoral votes to the leading candidate, even by a small margin.

Pennsylvania, a major swing state

Pennsylvania is a priority for both candidates, with its 19 electoral votes and politically divided population. This swing state between big-city Democrat and rural Republican electorates is highly coveted: Donald Trump and Kamala Harris held their last rallies there, a sign of its strategic importance.

Arizona and the immigration debate

Traditionally a Republican state, Arizona has nevertheless swung to the Democrats in 2020. Immigration and abortion issues dominate in this state bordering Mexico, where the right to abortion could be decisive in voters’ choice.

Michigan, a hotly contested battleground

With its 15 electoral votes, Michigan is one of the key states in the Great Lakes region. Divided, it was also the site of Trump’s last campaign. The large Arab-Muslim community is courted here, but Kamala Harris’s stance on international issues could cost her votes, while Trump remains generally sympathetic to Israel.

North Carolina, a potential tipping point

Although Republican in 2020, North Carolina is seeing its demographics evolve with a younger, pro-Democrat urban population. This shift could offer Kamala Harris a chance to turn the tide.

Ultimately, these pivotal states are the focus of the candidates’ strategic efforts, with every major voter essential to achieving the 270 needed for victory.