As the first results of the 2024 US presidential election come in, CNN exit polls reveal that Republican candidate Donald Trump is leading in Florida. Meanwhile, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris has secured victories in Massachusetts, Maryland, and Vermont.
Race for 270 Electoral Votes
Both Trump and Harris need at least 270 electoral votes to win. Trump, who served as the 45th President from 2017 to 2021, is hoping to return to the White House after losing to Joe Biden in 2020. On the other hand, Harris has served as Vice President since 2021. The election is expected to be decided in battleground states like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Early Projections and Vote Tally
CNN’s exit polls show Harris leading in Massachusetts, Maryland, and Vermont. In contrast, Trump is ahead in Missouri, Oklahoma, Alabama, Florida, and Kentucky. As of 7 AM IST, Trump has 54.2% of the popular vote with 14,023,637 votes, while Harris has 44.6% with 11,537,912 votes. Furthermore, Trump leads with 90 electoral votes, while Harris has 27.
Key States and Shifting Voter Preferences
In Georgia, independent voters are now favoring Trump, a shift from the 2020 election when Biden won the state. Trump continues to enjoy strong support among voters without a college degree, with approximately 8 out of 10 of them choosing Trump. However, Harris leads among younger voters and Black voters in Georgia, with 86% of Black voters and 60% of those under 30 supporting her.
Voters in Georgia cite the economy as their main concern, with 40% prioritizing it. Issues like democracy, abortion, and immigration follow, but with less importance. In contrast, nationally, democracy is the top issue for many voters.
Voter Sentiment in North Carolina and Other States
Moving to North Carolina, voters are split on whether hurricane aid is reaching those who need it. A large portion of voters in the state—about 7 in 10—express dissatisfaction or anger with the current state of the country. Economic concerns are top of mind for 36% of voters, while democracy is second.
CNN projects that Trump will win Indiana, securing 11 electoral votes, and Kentucky, with 8.
National Voter Opinion and Polarized Views
Nationally, 46% of voters have a positive view of Harris, while 42% view Trump positively. Notably, about 8% of voters hold negative views of both candidates. Meanwhile, 72% of voters are dissatisfied or angry with the country’s direction, and 67% rate the economy poorly.
Voter Turnout and Election Concerns
According to CNN’s exit polls, a significant majority of voters had already made their decisions by Election Day. Eight out of 10 voters made their choice before September, while fewer than 1 in 10 decided in the last week. Additionally, two-thirds of voters believe the election is being conducted fairly and accurately.
Concerns about democracy are widespread. About 75% of voters feel that democracy is under threat, and 70% are worried about the potential for election-related violence.
