Focus of Harris and Trump's Campaigns on Seven Crucial States in the U.S.

As the official presidential election day in the United States approaches on November 5, 2024, the campaigns of the two main candidates are concentrated on seven so-called 'battleground states' that could change the final outcome of the election, hence referred to as crucial states. Despite over 14 million people having participated in early voting so far, many will vote in the coming days when mail-in voting is conducted in nearly all states. Many will also go to polling stations on the official election day, but some have not yet made a definitive decision. National polls indicate that this presidential election cycle is one of the closest races in recent decades, with Kamala Harris, the Vice President and Democratic candidate, slightly ahead of her Republican rival, former President Donald Trump. Polls show that Harris or Trump are significantly ahead or at least somewhat confident in 43 states, but the competition is very tight in seven states: Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada, which is why they are focusing intensely on these states. The winner of the U.S. presidential election is not determined by direct votes from the people but through the Electoral College. The number of electoral votes in each state is based on its population, so the largest states have the most influence in determining the overall national result. Each candidate needs to secure at least 270 out of 538 electoral votes to win the election, even though in some cases the direct popular vote winner may have fewer votes than the main rival and the second-place candidate. The presidential term in the United States is four years, starting in late January. U.S. officials expect that Israel's retaliatory attack on Iran will occur before the presidential election. Pennsylvania is a 'battleground' for Harris and Trump to attract undecided voters. Harris called the Iranian government 'dangerous'; Trump stated: 'If I were in charge, there would be no attack on Israel.' The first debate between Tim Walz and JD Vance, candidates for the U.S. Vice Presidency, is also mentioned. Kamala Harris accepted CNN's invitation for the second debate; Trump declined.