US Election 2024: Understanding the Electoral College, Battleground States, and Key Races
With nearly 186.5 million Americans eligible to vote, the November 5 election is set to choose the 47th President of the United States. The presidential race is not the only one on the ballot, as voters will also elect members of Congress, governors, and local positions.
Understanding the Electoral College:
The US uses an electoral system, where voters directly elect representatives who then cast votes for president. The candidate with the most popular votes in a state wins all that state's electors, except in Maine and Nebraska, which allocate their electors based on popular vote at the state and congressional district levels.
Battleground States:
Seven states are considered battlegrounds, where opinion polls show a margin of victory fewer than 5 percentage points. These states will determine the outcome of the election: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Key Races:
In addition to the presidential race, voters will elect members of Congress (435 House seats and 33 Senate seats) and governors in 11 states and two territories.
Early Voting:
Over 42.9 million Americans have already cast their ballots through early voting or mail-in voting. The election is expected to be closely contested, with polls showing a narrow margin between the candidates.