You’ll have heard the term “swing states” a lot during this election period, but let’s break down exactly what and where they are so you have the full picture.
Basically, these are states that hold disproportionate sway in presidential elections because they switch between voting Republican and Democrat.
Millions of dollars have been poured into campaigning in these areas – underlining that winning the additional college votes is crucial.
This year, the critical states are Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and North Carolina.
Here’s what the polling looks like in those states right now…
We take a closer look at each one below – or you can watch our video explainer…
Arizona – 11 electoral votes
This was the state that gave Joe Biden the presidency in 2020 after backing the Democrats for the first time since the 1990s.
It’s also the place at the heart of the nation’s immigration debate due to its long border with Mexico.
Immigration is considered one of the most important issues for voters.
Donald Trump has said he will carry out the “largest deportation operation” in history if he is elected.
Kamala Harris has said she will renew a push for comprehensive border legislation that would tighten migration, and has vowed to “enforce our laws” against border crossings.
Georgia – 16 electoral votes
The Democrats flipped Georgia in 2020, with the state’s large African-American population playing a key role in their victory.
Fulton County in Georgia is also the area where alleged election interference took place, leading to one of Mr Trump’s four criminal charges.
Gun laws could be a big issue here following a school shooting earlier this year, which saw a 14-year-old boy kill four people and wound nine with an assault-style rifle.
After the shooting, Ms Harris said: “We have to end this epidemic of gun violence.”
Throughout her career, she has been a vocal advocate for reinstating a ban on assault weapons.
Mr Trump has vowed to firmly protect gun rights if he is re-elected.
North Carolina – 16 electoral votes
Like Georgia, North Carolina used to be a reliable red state.
In the past 50 years, Democrats have won here only twice – in 1976 with Jimmy Carter and in 2008 with Barack Obama.
Despite this, it’s classed as a swing state as Republicans saw only slim margins of victory in recent elections.
Data also shows that from 2011 to 2021, many newcomers to North Carolina were from the heavily-Democratic states of California, New York and New England. Black, Latino and multi-racial people also make up 90% of North Carolina’s new residents – groups that traditionally tend to lean left.
However the majority of the state’s population is white – and polls suggest some are concerned about immigration, which could favour the anti-immigration sentiment of Mr Trump’s campaign.
Michigan – 15 electoral votes
In the last two elections, Michigan has been the state that has picked the winning presidential candidate.
A key issue here has been the current President Joe Biden’s support for Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza and the wider Middle East crisis.
Activists in the state have been calling for the government to halt its military aid to the country.
Mr Trump has emphasised his support for Israel, saying during a presidential debate in June that the US should allow it to “finish the job” in Gaza.
Ms Harris also confirmed her “unwavering commitment to Israel” when meeting with the country’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
During the Democratic National Convention, she also drew attention to the “devastating” civilian deaths in Gaza.
Nevada – 6 electoral votes
Both candidates have been trying hard to win over Latino voters here.
Home to Las Vegas, it is one of the US regions that has been badly affected financially by COVID.
The economy, taxes and the cost of living are likely to be key issues for voters.
Mr Trump’s campaign site says his vision for America’s economy is “lower taxes, bigger pay cheques and more jobs for American workers”.
Ms Harris has pledged tax relief for small business in her economic policy, as well as a hike to the corporate tax rate and higher taxes for those who earn $1m or more.
Pennsylvania – 19 electoral votes
Pennsylvania made headlines in July after Mr Trump survived an assassination attempt while holding a rally there.
Similar to Nevada, the economy is a top issue in the Keystone state, with grocery prices rising faster than in anywhere else in the US.
It’s also the most important of the swing states – given that it’s worth the most electoral college votes.
Wisconsin – 10 electoral votes
Prior to independent candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr pulling out of the race, polls were suggesting he could prove to a problem for Mr Trump and Ms Harris in Wisconsin.
Some have suggested this might be the state where third-party candidates make a big difference, with Democrats fighting – unsuccessfully – to take Green Party’s Jill Stein off the ballot.
They have argued Ms Stein did not comply with state election laws, and have also filed a complaint against independent candidate Cornel West.
The state has picked the winner for the last two elections, with Mr Trump describing it as “really important”.
“If we win Wisconsin, we win the whole thing,” he said previously.
Ms Harris has rallied in Wisconsin’s Milwaukee, celebrating her official nomination as the Democratic presidential candidate on stage.
The economy and abortion rights both stand out as key issues for voters.
