Kamala Harris' campaign optimistic about early voting in key battlegrounds

As millions of Americans flock to the polls on Tuesday, the campaign for US Vice President Kamala Harris is expressing optimism about early ballot returns in Pennsylvania and other critical battleground states.

Michael Tyler, communications director for the Harris-Walz campaign, stated, “Listen, we feel good about what we’re seeing in Pennsylvania and across the battleground states,” during an interview on Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom.”

According to the latest early voting data from the University of Florida’s Election Lab, nearly 1.8 million mail-in ballots have already been cast in Pennsylvania, with Democrats comprising approximately 56% of those votes compared to 33% for Republicans.

This contrasts with the 2020 election when Democrats made up 65% of the 2.6 million mail ballots returned amid the Covid-19 pandemic, while Republicans accounted for only 24%.

Tyler noted a “mode shift” in Republican attitudes toward early voting, which they once disparaged as fraudulent. He said, “They have now embraced it and have encouraged their voters to do so,” suggesting this shift may have impacted early voting trends.

Despite the positive signs, Tyler emphasised that the campaign is not complacent.

“That’s why over the weekend we were knocking on over three million doors across the battleground states, a billion and a half doors in Pennsylvania alone, with over 90,000 volunteers,” he explained, underscoring the campaign's commitment to mobilising supporters.

As of now, former President Trump holds a narrow lead of 0.8% in Pennsylvania, according to Decision Desk HQ/The Hill’s polling averages, indicating that the state remains a pivotal battleground for both candidates.

Nationally, the race is tied, reflecting the intense competition between Trump and Harris as the election unfolds.