Pennsylvania played a crucial role in deciding the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, ultimately helping Joe Biden secure the win over Donald Trump. With both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump investing time and resources in the state ahead of Election Day, Pennsylvania remains a key battleground this election cycle. Campaign events in Pennsylvania have featured notable pit stops and appearances by celebrities and fellow politicians, as candidates aim to sway voters in this swing state.
CBS News’ Battleground Tracker shows a tightly contested race in Pennsylvania just a week before Election Day. The state is part of the Democrats’ “blue wall” along with Michigan and Wisconsin, all considered critical to the party’s path to the White House. Polls open at 7 a.m. ET and close at 8 p.m. ET, with the mail-in ballot deadline set for 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Pennsylvania has 19 electoral votes, a significant prize in the presidential race, and voter turnout in 2020 was at 76% of registered voters.
Pennsylvania has specific rules regarding vote counting, including starting the processing and counting of mail-in ballots on Election Day. Counties cannot record or release mail-in ballot results until after polls close at 8 p.m. ET, leading to a delay in announcing the final tallies and projecting the winner. The state’s 19 electoral votes are crucial for the presidential race, with former Vice President Joe Biden securing victory in Pennsylvania in 2020 and surpassing the needed 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.
Following the record number of mail-in ballots in 2020, Pennsylvania is making adjustments to ensure a smoother voting process in 2024. Election officials have improved equipment and staffing to enhance ballot counting procedures. The majority of ballots are expected to be counted by Wednesday after the election, allowing for a quicker projection of the winner. However, if the race is close, delays could occur due to potential recounts based on vote margins. Latino voters in Pennsylvania, who make up a significant portion of eligible voters, could play a decisive role in determining the election outcome.
With nearly 580,000 eligible Latino voters in Pennsylvania, candidates must vie for their support to secure a victory in the state. The central region of the state, known as the “222 Corridor,” is home to approximately half of the Latino population, where both presidential candidates have made frequent appearances. Pennsylvania has consistently voted for the presidential winner since 2008, favoring candidates from both parties over the years. As Election Day approaches, the focus remains on appealing to Pennsylvania voters and ensuring a fair and efficient voting process.
