What are the swing states 2024? How Pennsylvania, others could shape election

While Democratic nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump enter the home stretch of the presidential campaign, the outcome may very well be determined by how each candidate fares in swing states.

Tonight’s debate, the first between Trump and Harris, is being held in a swing state — Pennsylvania.

But what exactly is a swing state, and why are they so crucial in this presidential election?

What is a swing state?

According to USA Facts, a swing state is any state that could tilt the election in the favor of either candidate.

"Swing states, also known as battleground states, are states that could swing to either Democratic or Republican candidates depending on the election," read USA Facts' website on swing states. "Because of their potential to be won by either candidate, political parties often spend a disproportionate amount of time and campaign resources on winning these states.

"While there is no universal definition of what identifies a swing state, they are characterized by having small vote margins and that different political parties win over time."

What are the swing states in the 2024 presidential election?

USA Facts defines a swing state as those that voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020.

Those states are Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Also included among swing states are states which had tight races decided by a margin or three percentage points or fewer.

According to Facts USA, those parameters would make Nevada and North Carolina swing states as well.

Kamala Harris, Donald Trump both make swing state push

There are 270 electoral college votes total up for grabs in the swing states, and both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump and their respective parties are making late campaign pushes to shore up votes in battleground states.

Donald Trump recently made a return campaign trip to Pennsylvania, while Kamala Harris made a campaign stop in North Carloina to discuss policy.

Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic Region.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Trump Harris election may hinge on swing states, but what are they?