Donald Trump wins Pennsylvania! Why is Pennsylvania important in the US elections?

Former US President Donald Trump has secured another significant victory in the 2024 presidential election. Trump emerged as the winner in Pennsylvania, one of the country's most contested states. This result stands out as a major development that could influence the course of the election, allowing Trump to gain an advantage over his rivals. While Pennsylvania is known for its critical role in elections, this victory marks a significant turning point in Trump's campaign.

WHY IS PENNSYLVANIA IMPORTANT?

Pennsylvania is known as a key "swing state" in US elections. This means the state has a voter base that could vote for both Democratic and Republican candidates, and the outcome is difficult to predict in advance.

Pennsylvania is of great importance, especially in presidential elections, because it holds significant voting power with 19 Electoral College votes. Therefore, the candidate who wins Pennsylvania gains a major advantage nationwide in reaching the 270 delegate count required for the presidency.

In the 2016 US presidential election, Republican candidate Donald Trump received 48.18 percent of the vote, narrowly defeating his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, who received 47.46 percent. This result played a critical role in Trump's victory because it was the first time since 1988 that a Republican candidate had won Pennsylvania.

In the 2020 elections, Democratic candidate Joe Biden received 50.01 percent of the vote in Pennsylvania, surpassing Republican Donald Trump, who received 48.84 percent. Biden's victory in this state was seen as a significant win against Trump and was a decisive factor in Biden securing the Electoral College votes.

For the 2024 presidential election, polls in Pennsylvania point to a very close race. In general polls, the results between the Democrats' candidate Biden—before he withdrew from the race—and Trump were neck and neck. For example, in some polls, Biden received support between 48-50 percent, while Trump received votes in the 47-49 percent band.

Although some prominent polls showed Biden with a small advantage over Trump, the margins in most polls are narrow, and results vary due to margins of error.

Pennsylvania continues to be a critical focal point in the 2024 elections because both candidates have a high chance of winning this state. Since 1948, no Democrat has won the White House without winning Pennsylvania, which increases the political risks for Harris.

In conclusion, polls show that Pennsylvania will play a decisive role in the election. Regarding how voters cast their ballots, it is observed that those who vote by mail support Biden more, while those who go to the polls in person support Trump more. This reinforces Pennsylvania's traditional tendencies and shows that the state will remain an important "swing state."