Much Uncertainty Surrounds US Election as November Vote Approaches – Citi

Investing.com reports that the upcoming November US presidential election is shrouded in uncertainty, with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican challenger Donald Trump nearly tied in crucial swing states, according to analysts from Citi.

As the election date approaches, national polling indicates that Harris maintains a slight advantage over Trump, leading by two to three percentage points. However, the analysts caution that the race remains highly competitive in key battlegrounds, which could significantly impact the Electoral College.

Furthermore, they highlighted that the effects of Hurricane Helene, a recent Category 4 storm, on critical states like Georgia and North Carolina are still being assessed. The hurricane caused severe flooding, power outages, and road closures, resulting in at least 230 fatalities.

In response to past natural disasters, state lawmakers have previously extended voter registration deadlines, added emergency polling places, and adjusted deadlines for mail-in ballots. North Carolina’s state legislature is scheduled to convene to consider similar actions, with the voter registration period set to close on October 11.

In Georgia, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger stated that election offices “were spared from substantial, long-term damage.” However, officials have yet to announce any extensions to voter registration or new emergency voting sites in North Carolina or Georgia, and may refrain from doing so due to growing concerns about election security.

Citi analysts noted that given the narrow margins in these states, any shift in voter demographics could have significant implications for the overall election results. Currently, Trump shows a slight lead in polls within both states, although this is within the margin of error. Both candidates are actively campaigning in these areas.

Historically, Georgia was pivotal in President Joe Biden’s victory over Trump in 2020, as Biden secured a slim majority with 49.5% of the vote. Conversely, Trump won North Carolina with 49.9% of the statewide vote.