Trump surges past exit polls with 178 electoral votes; Harris falls behind

Vote counting in the U.S. election has begun, with initial projections showing former President Donald Trump leading in 10 states and Kamala Harris in five. Trump currently has 137 electoral votes, while Harris trails with 99. Both candidates need 270 electoral votes to secure the presidency.

These early projections come from states historically loyal to either the Republican or Democratic Party. However, the real decision likely rests in seven battleground states—Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. These swing states will play a critical role in deciding who becomes the 47th President of the United States.

The Trump-Harris contest has been intense, with polls indicating a near tie heading into Election Day. Exit polls highlighted top issues for American voters. A CBS News poll revealed that 60% of voters ranked the state of democracy as their primary concern. Economic issues followed, prioritized by one in ten voters, while abortion remained significant for 5%. Another exit poll by CNN showed that nearly three-quarters of voters are dissatisfied with the nation’s current direction. Only a quarter of voters expressed any satisfaction, with around 40% feeling dissatisfaction and 30% openly angry.

As results roll in, attention shifts to the swing states, which could determine the election outcome.