On November 5, 2024, the American electorate engaged in one of the most pivotal elections of the 21st century, as voters made their voices heard through the casting of ballots for the presidency and numerous congressional seats across the country. With tensions high and stakes enormous, it became abundantly clear through preliminary reports and exit polls just how charged the atmosphere was nationwide.
Preliminary findings from ABC News highlighted the overarching concern from voters: fear for American democracy. A staggering 73% of poll participants expressed sentiments of concern about the security of democracy, emphasizing the pervasive belief among many Americans—particularly those across seven key swing states—that democracy was under threat. This sentiment outshone many other issues, including the economy, which came in at a close second as priority number one for roughly 31% of voters.
According to the poll data, only 26% of voters voiced enthusiasm or satisfaction with the country’s current direction, indicating deep dissatisfaction with the status quo. The economic struggle colored many voters’ perceptions, with 67% believing the economy was performing poorly—significantly beyond the 32% who felt it was doing well. The dilemma concerning economic prospects was underscored by the fact nearly half of all voters perceived their financial situations as worse than four years prior.
The election, framing Donald Trump against Kamala Harris, took on greater significance as voters assessed the challengers' favorability ratings. Trump remains broadly viewed as controversial, with 55% of polled individuals describing his viewpoints as “too extreme.” Comparatively, Harris earned similar sentiments from 46% of respondents, though her overall favorability ratings were slightly more favorable at 48% as opposed to 50%. This heightened level of scrutiny toward similar policies highlights the polarization this election has created.
During his campaign, Trump opted to spotlight issues like the economy and immigration—central themes projected to resonate with many voters. On the other hand, Harris campaigned on enhancing reproductive rights and positioning herself as the rejuvenator of democracy. Her arguments pivoted heavily on establishing protections for abortion rights, especially as exit polls indicated some 66% of the analyzed voters believed abortion should be legal across all or most circumstances.
One defining aspect of the 2024 election was the stark emotional divide among voters. While some voters felt apprehensive at the thought of Trump's re-election, with 36% expressing fear should he reclaim the presidency, 29% similarly noted they would feel fearful if Harris emerged victorious. These numbers suggest underlying tensions run deep within the electorate.
Georgia: A Key Battleground
Georgia emerged as one of the most consequential states, reflecting the nationwide interest in the election’s integrity. Following Biden's narrow victory here just four years ago, the stakes were high, and anxieties ran rampant from both parties over potential voter suppression. Interestingly, 81% of Georgia voters expressed confidence in the integrity of the elections, surpassing national confidence levels.
Yet, contrasting this position, approximately 68% noted they believed democracy was either somewhat or very threatened. Notably, the survey revealed 52% of Georgia voters felt their financial situations were worse than four years prior, adding another layer to the electoral intricacies.
Given Georgia's demographics—30% of voters identified as Black, similar to previous elections—issues surrounding race, employment, and social justice were pivotal. Support for Harris on racial issues leaned significantly from this community, with nearly 89% of Black voters backing her over Trump.
The battleground of North Carolina, which Trump had won solidly over the years, was also reflective of the tightening poll numbers. Trump was declared victorious here, continuing his trend as he secured all 16 of the state's electoral votes. Harris’s opportunity to capture North Carolina seemed increasingly slim as Trump maintained control of the narrative surrounding economic performance among various demographics.
Votes and Numbers
Developments leading to election night indicated Trump's census continued to surge, partially due to gains among Latino and Black voters, two groups traditionally leaning Democratic. While exit polls showed some slippage among voter groups for Harris, the overall enthusiasm surrounding her candidacy remained present, particularly among younger voters.
The division between rural and urban voters played heavily throughout the exit polls as well. Trends indicated urban centers supported Harris, whereas many rural voters solidified their support for Trump. This pattern mirrored findings from previous election cycles and painted the portrait of America's continued polarization along geographical lines.
At various points throughout election night, the Electoral College map started shaping up to favor Trump, with reports citing he had surged to 230 electoral votes against Harris' 210 by early estimates. With several states still counting votes, it wasn’t entirely sealed, but the outlook for Harris's campaign to stretch itself beyond its blue wall became increasingly tenuous.
Motivated to curb the tide of uncertainty, Harris supporters gathered at Howard University for what many hoped would be the beginning of “Blue Monday”—the anticipated day of victory. Their enthusiasm clashed with reality as several reports emerged of disappointment when Trump was projected to win key battleground states.
Harris's victories, including securing wins reported from Virginia and California, were notable, as were her success stories from Oregon and New Mexico. Yet the sentiment at these events ran counter to the courage expressed among Harris' supporters, especially as they waited for numbers to reveal whether they could overcome Trump’s gains.
The Road Ahead
With the election now entering the final stretch, voters anticipated analysis on what it all meant—especially across key battleground states. Pennsylvania became identified as the nation’s tipping point, where the movement of voters between each candidate may well dictate the election's ultimate outcome. Entrusting their future to the decision of voters, both campaigns mobilized their core supporters, ensuring they would remain engaged and motivated.
Looking toward the final hours of polling, the country seemed irreversibly divided as longstanding discussions about economic reform, civil rights, and the integrity of American democracy faced off against questions of leadership and community oversight. Voters broadly captured sentiments of hopefulness amid their fears—an emotional blend reflecting the partisanship of the country.
While the results kept people glued to screens nationwide, one thing became apparent through the noise: America was at yet another crossroads of destiny, with each vote counted potentially dictifying the nation’s next decade. Regardless of the outcome—whether stability would reign under Harris or upheaval alongside Trump—the election reflected the continuing evolution of American political identity and the challenges foreseen for its future leaders.
