The close presidential race is played in key states like Pennsylvania

In the United States, with the presidential race in the final stretch and polls show a very close contestboth candidates are focused on Pennsylvania, a key state in the United States that could hold the keys to the White House.

Both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have hit the ground running in the country’s largest swing state, investing more money, energy and visits there than anywhere else in the country.

Pennsylvania – with its 19 electoral votes – is the largest of the most important swing states, and has aligned itself with the winner of the last two presidential elections by just tens of thousands of votes. With polls showing the presidential race tied here once again, it could be the state that swings the election.

Pennsylvania, a kind of microcosm of the country

“Pennsylvania is a state that voted for Trump in 2016 and voted for Biden in 2020,” explains Franklin & Marshall College Principal Berwood Yost. “It has large urban centers and rural communities. So I think Pennsylvania is a kind of microcosm of the country as a whole, in many ways,” Yost added.

The power of this state does not go unnoticed by the voters themselves, who perfectly understand the fundamental role that they will play in these elections.

Two halves that will barely decide on the last day

“I think right now it’s quite divided: in the group of my friends halfwill vote for Kamala and the other half for Trump“explains Brian Neel, a Pennsylvania voter from Chester County. “If that’s any indication, I think the race here is pretty close.”

“I think Pennsylvania is such a close state that it’s really going to be decided on Election Day,” says Jodi Eichler-Levine, an Upper Macungie Township voter.

Harris searches win in urban centers of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh – and rack up strong numbers in their suburbs – driving out the women, black voters and college graduates who propelled Joe Biden to victory four years ago.

trump hopes to expand its support in rural counties who won comfortably in 2020 – and take away votes from traditionally Democratic voters such as Latinos and blue-collar workers.

A balance that tips towards enthusiasm

While both sides claim to have the advantage of enthusiasm, in such a close race, it’s clear that every vote will count. “Current voters of both candidates are equally motivated” Yost said. “This will come down to which campaign is, I think, better on the field… That will ultimately be what tips the balance here.”

For Harris, the political stakes are essential here. No Democrat has won the White House without winning Pennsylvania since 1948.