The United States continued its vote count on Tuesday night, with Donald Trump securing wins in critical swing states, including Georgia and North Carolina, placing him closer to the 270 Electoral College votes required to retain the presidency. Trump has now amassed 246 electoral votes, while Vice President Kamala Harris stands at 210, leaving Pennsylvania as a decisive battleground for both candidates.
As polls closed across the country, Trump’s campaign expressed confidence, while Harris’s team urged patience. Alaska, the last state to end voting, is expected to deliver its three electoral votes to Trump. In Pennsylvania, where 90% of votes have been counted, Trump holds a narrow lead, making it a must-win state for Harris as she hopes to stay competitive.
With results pouring in, Harris’s campaign held off on a public address. “We still have votes to count and states that remain undecided,” campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond told supporters, assuring that “every vote will be counted.” Harris is expected to speak Wednesday as her campaign focuses on the final tallies in key states.
Battle for Senate Control Intensifies
In parallel, Republicans have regained control of the Senate, winning pivotal races in Ohio and West Virginia. This shift in the balance of power could allow Trump, if reelected, to advance judicial appointments, including to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Harris’s potential administration could face obstacles in passing new legislation if her Democratic party does not control the chamber.
Voters Signal Shift on Social Issues
In state-level votes, Missouri passed a measure to protect abortion rights within its constitution, potentially reversing its near-total abortion ban. Colorado, New York, and Maryland approved similar protections, reflecting a shift in public opinion on reproductive rights.
For the first time, two Black women, Lisa Blunt Rochester from Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks from Maryland, have been elected to serve in the U.S. Senate, marking a historic moment in American politics. Delaware’s Sarah McBride also made history as the first openly transgender representative elected to the U.S. House.
