Harris Narrows Trump's Lead in Key Southern States Ahead of Debate

A day before a crucial debate, a new voter survey reveals that Vice President Kamala Harris is closing the gap against former President Donald Trump in two important southern battleground states. In North Carolina, the Florida Atlantic University-Mainstreet Research poll shows Trump holding a slim 1-point lead, 48% to 47%, among likely voters, a state he won by just 1.34 points in 2020. Trump’s strength lies with white voters without college degrees, where he holds a 30-point advantage, while Harris polls stronger among college-educated voters.

In Georgia, the same poll finds Trump ahead 47% to 45%, with a significant lead among voters over age 50. Harris, however, polls better with the younger demographic, ages 18 to 49. Pollster Kevin Wagner described the races as being "really, really close," emphasizing that Trump's previous advantage has narrowed significantly since Harris became the nominee.

Although the poll didn’t assign a margin of error, a typical margin for a poll of this size would be around 3.7%, placing both races within a statistical tie.

Despite Trump’s ongoing efforts to cast doubt on the integrity of U.S. elections, the poll found that voters in both North Carolina and Georgia largely trust the election process. In Georgia, 61% of respondents expressed confidence in vote counting and certification, despite Trump’s indictment related to attempts to overturn the 2020 results in the state. Similarly, in North Carolina, 57% of voters said they trust the accuracy of election procedures.

David Becker, founder of the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation and Research, praised the efforts of state election officials, highlighting the security of voter registration systems. However, he warned that foreign adversaries like Russia, China, and Iran are still attempting to erode public trust in U.S. elections, aiming to create division and chaos.

In anticipation of the upcoming debate, Trump’s campaign is preparing to go on the offensive, with senior adviser Jason Miller stating that the former president will force Harris to defend her record as "border czar" and her votes on key stimulus bills. U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz also pointed to Harris’ "dangerously liberal" policies on crime and immigration, citing specific incidents involving undocumented immigrants.

Meanwhile, the Harris campaign is bolstering support from former Republicans who have distanced themselves from Trump, including Rich Logis, a former MAGA supporter. Logis criticized Trump for stoking division and warned that a second Trump term would be detrimental to democracy and individual freedoms. He also condemned Trump’s alignment with the controversial Project 2025, which proposes extreme policies such as defunding K-12 education and expanding presidential powers.

Former Florida state senator Paula Dockery echoed these concerns, particularly highlighting Trump's role in overturning Roe v. Wade and his opposition to reproductive rights amendments in Florida. She called on voters to prioritize freedom over party loyalty.

As the race tightens in key battleground states, the upcoming debate will be a pivotal moment for both candidates.