Which states do Trump and Harris need to win the election? What to know

On By Littum

Polling stations have begun to close on the east coast as election day draws to a close. The road to 270 Electoral College votes has begun for both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

Seven swing states could prove decisive in the 2024 presidential election, one of the tightest in decades. Both candidates have stormed the states in the final days of the campaign and have made their final pitches to voters.

Polls across these states in recent days showed close races in all seven swing states: Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada and Arizona.

Achieving a total of 93 electoral college votes between them, and winning the close races in those states, paves the way for Trump and Harris to the White House.

Here’s what you need to know about which states Trump and Harris will win.

Arizona

Grand Canyon State earns a total of 11 electoral college votes. In 2020, President Joe Biden carried the state by 0.3%. In 2016, former President Donald Trump carried the state by 3.5%.

Georgia

A new addition to the swing state list, Georgia, is one of the larger awards in terms of Electoral College votes with 16. In 2020, Biden won a shock victory in the state by 0.2% percentage points.

In 2016, Trump won the Peach State by 5.1%.

Michigan

Out in the Midwest in Michigan, 15 electoral votes up for grabs, part of the Democratic “Blue Wall,” it’s considered a vital state for Harris.

In 2020, Biden carried the state by 2.8%, while Trump won the state in 2016 by just 0.2%.

Nevada

Nevada, the westernmost swing state, gains six Electoral College votes. In 2016 Hillary Clinton beat Trump by 2.4%, in 2020 Biden won the state by the same margin.

North Carolina

Back on the East Coast, North Carolina’s 16 electoral votes are another big prize among the swing states on the list. The last time the state elected a Democrat was in 2008, when it voted for Barack Obama.

In 2016, Trump beat Clinton by 3.7 percent. Four years later, Biden narrowed the gap with the former president, but not enough, losing by 1.4%.

Pennsylvania

The Keystone State, Pennsylvania is considered by many to be the bell state. Net of most electoral votes: 19. Both Harris and Trump focused much of their efforts on the state in the final days of the campaign.

In 2016, Trump beat Clinton by 0.7%, four years later in 2020, Biden flipped the state and beat Trump by 1.2%.

Wisconsin

Last but not least is Wisconsin, which garners a nice 10 electoral votes, and is also part of the Democratic “Blue Wall.”

In 2016, Trump won the state by 0.8%, but four years later, Biden flipped the state to the Democratic column, winning it by 1.3%.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trendy news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him at X @fern_cerv_.