The 2024 US presidential election has come to a close, with Donald Trump emerging as the President-elect after a decisive victory over Democratic contender Kamala Harris. This election marks a significant shift in the political landscape, with Republicans gaining ground across the nation and flipping several key states.
Electoral College and Popular Vote
Trump has secured 312 electoral votes, surpassing the 270 required to win the presidency. This includes victories in all seven battleground states, which played a crucial role in determining the election’s outcome. In contrast, Harris managed to secure 226 electoral votes.The Republican victory extends beyond the Electoral College, with the party also leading in the popular vote. With 95% of votes counted, Republicans hold a lead of approximately 4 million votes nationwide.
Key Battleground States
The seven battleground states, accounting for 93 electoral votes, were:
- Pennsylvania (19 electoral votes)
- Michigan (15 electoral votes)
- North Carolina (16 electoral votes)
- Arizona (11 electoral votes)
- Georgia (16 electoral votes)
- Wisconsin (10 electoral votes)
- Nevada (6 electoral votes)
Trump’s ability to win all of these states played a pivotal role in his victory, effectively flipping six states that had gone to the Democrats in the 2020 election.
Nationwide Shift Towards Republicans
One of the most striking aspects of this election is the rightward shift observed across the entire country. Every state showed an increase in Republican support compared to the 2020 election.
Some notable shifts include:
- New York: A 6.43% shift towards Republicans
- New Jersey: A 5.92% shift
- Florida: A 5.88% shift
- California: A 4.9% shift
- Massachusetts: A 4.38% shift
These changes highlight a broader trend of increasing Republican support, even in traditionally Democratic strongholds.
State-by-State Breakdown
Republicans emerged victorious in 31 out of 50 states, with their strongest performances in:
- Wyoming (72.5% of the vote)
- North Dakota (70.1%)
- Idaho (66.5%)
- Oklahoma (66.1%)
Democrats, while losing ground overall, still maintained control in 19 states. Their most dominant performances were in:
- Washington, D.C. (92.4% of the vote)
- Vermont (65.3%)
- Maryland (63.5%)
- Massachusetts (61.2%)
- Hawaii (60.6%)
Implications and Reactions
The election results have sparked intense discussion and debate across the political spectrum. A Democratic National Committee official reportedly described Harris’s endorsement by Biden as a “$1 billion disaster,” suggesting internal discord within the party.
Meanwhile, in an interesting social media trend, some liberal White women have begun wearing blue bracelets to symbolize their opposition to Trump.
As the dust settles on this election, attention now turns to the implications of a second Trump presidency and how it might shape domestic and international politics in the coming years.
The 2024 election results represent a significant shift in the American political landscape, with Republicans gaining ground across the nation and securing a clear mandate for the next four years. As the country prepares for this transition of power, all eyes will be on how these changes will impact policy, governance, and the future direction of the United States.
Cover photo by Jake May and Devin Anderson-Torrez – MLive.com