(NewsNation) — Seven pivotal states could give either presidential candidate the final Electoral College votes they need to secure victory.
Swing states, sometimes referred to as battleground states, are a critical part of a presidential candidate’s path to 270 Electoral College votes.
This election cycle, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are neck-and-neck in nearly all major swing state polls. Both campaigns have blitzed the highly contested states as Election Day nears.
What is a swing state?
Swing states are typically up for grabs for both parties’ candidates, changing election cycle to cycle, and often have the ability to sway the outcome of the election.
How to register to vote
Shifting demographics and voter registration make some states a political tossup, while other states are strong supporters of a single party.
Both candidates’ campaigns have focused on flipping swing states in their favor, focusing fundraising and outreach efforts on places like Pennsylvania and Georgia.
Arizona
Electoral College votes: 11
A border state and frequent party flip-flopper, Arizona is one of the states that could lead Harris or Trump to the White House this November.
In 2016, the Grand Canyon State favored Trump, who went on to win the election. In 2020, it flipped to President Joe Biden.
Its proximity to the border makes immigration a hot topic and has helped shape Harris’ and Trump’s narratives leading up to the election, with both touting their own potential border control policies.
Georgia
Electoral College votes: 16
The Peach State is a newcomer to the swing state category, joining after a monumental Democratic shift during the 2020 election.
Biden’s victory in 2020 marked the first time in more than two decades that a Democrat won the state, largely thanks to Black voter turnout in the state. Former President Bill Clinton won it in 1992.
First-day early voter turnout in Georgia broke records, with more than 1 million Georgians casting their ballots with more than two weeks left before the election.
Michigan
Electoral College votes: 15
One-third of the “blue wall” that launched Biden over Trump in 2020, Michigan could prove vital to the Republican nominee if he wins it — along with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — this time around.
Trump won the state in 2016 against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The Great Lakes State is known for its deep union roots and economic focus, an audience Harris and Trump are targeting ahead of Nov. 5.
Nevada
Electoral College votes: 6
Though the Silver State has remained blue for the last four presidential election cycles, Nevada is no stranger to flipping.
Since 1976, Republicans and Democrats have won Nevada six times each, and tight election results in 2016 and 2020 have paved the way for a potential conservative shift in this election.
North Carolina
Electoral College votes: 16
North Carolina has routinely voted Republican in previous presidential elections, but recent result margins are casting doubt on its records.
How to look up your sample ballot in each state
Harris’ entry to the presidential race came with an assertation that North Carolina was up for grabs, a sentiment echoed by pundits and Biden alike.
While politicians ponder a potential blue flip this November, voters in the Tar Heel State are grappling with casting ballots amid residual chaos from Hurricane Helene, which killed at least 246 people across the Southeast.
Pennsylvania
Electoral College votes: 19
With the highest electoral college votes of the swing state bunch, Pennsylvania has been a major focus for both Harris and Trump.
Both have a good shot, with the Keystone State flipping in the last two election cycles — in 2016 for Trump, and 2020 for Biden — proving how flexible its voter base can be every four years.
Wisconsin
Electoral College votes: 10
Driving the vote: New Jersey GOP tries to flip state to red
Wisconsin is a relatively new addition to the swing states. Before Trump’s 2016 win over Clinton in the Badger State, it was a relatively consistent Democratic stronghold.
In 2020, Wisconsin flipped again, favoring Biden.
Its inclusion in the “blue wall” makes it a historically significant state to win. Democratic governors in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are taking to the campaign trail to help secure victory in the states for another cycle.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
