US Elections Weekly Update

Published on 2024-09-29

Kamala Harris Gains Slight Lead Over Trump in National Polls

Kamala Harris has extended her lead in the US presidential race, holding a 3.6-point advantage over Donald Trump, according to recent polling averages. The Guardian reports Harris at 48.2%, while Trump stands at 44.4%. However, despite this national lead, the race remains tight in key battleground states, where the electoral college will ultimately decide the outcome. Some analysts note that Trump's edge in the electoral college may be shrinking, leaving the election outcome uncertain and highly competitive as November approaches. Will Harris maintain her lead?

Republican Group Challenges Georgia’s New Ballot Counting Rule

A Republican-led group, Eternal Vigilance Action, is challenging Georgia’s newly adopted rule requiring poll workers to hand-count the total number of ballots. The group, led by former state Rep. Scot Turner, argues that the State Election Board is overstepping its legal authority with this rule. Turner’s lawsuit, scheduled for an October 4 hearing, seeks to overturn or delay the rule until after November’s presidential election. Critics, including voting rights groups, fear the rule could create chaos and undermine confidence in election results if former President Donald Trump loses to Vice President Kamala Harris.

US-China Rivalry Takes Center Stage in Trump's Campaign, Less So in Harris's Strategy

US-China relations are shaping the 2024 presidential race, with Donald Trump making it a cornerstone of his campaign, while Kamala Harris addresses it less prominently. Trump has repeatedly framed China as an economic predator, proposing tariffs and trade restrictions to protect American industries, particularly appealing to blue-collar voters in key battleground states. He emphasizes the need to safeguard industries like steel for national security, while Harris has focused more broadly on maintaining global rules, occasionally referencing China’s impact on US workers. As tensions between the two superpowers grow, this issue could play a pivotal role in the election outcome.

Topic of the Week The Semiconductor Struggle: Self-Reliance or Global Supply Chain Mastery?

The race to secure dominance in the semiconductor industry has emerged as a pivotal issue in the 2024 US presidential election. Both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris propose different strategies for addressing this challenge.

Trump’s vision centers on building self-reliance by prioritizing domestic semiconductor production. He aims to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, particularly China, through tariffs and incentives aimed at reshoring manufacturing jobs. Trump argues that a strong US-based chip industry is essential for economic security and defense, preventing critical technologies from being reliant on foreign entities.

Kamala Harris, building on the Biden administration’s policies, emphasizes a balanced approach that combines increasing domestic manufacturing with maintaining international supply chain networks. The CHIPS and Science Act has already led to massive investments in the US, with over $450 billion in semiconductor projects launched. Harris supports strengthening alliances with other countries to ensure supply chain resilience while boosting innovation in key areas like AI and electric vehicles.

Both approaches face significant hurdles. Building self-reliance will require a vast expansion of the skilled workforce, with the semiconductor industry projected to face a talent shortage in the coming years. Meanwhile, ensuring global supply chain mastery requires careful diplomacy, especially as geopolitical tensions with China persist.

As the election approaches, the US must choose between Trump’s inward-focused strategy or Harris’s plan that seeks both domestic growth and international cooperation to secure the country’s place in the semiconductor market.


Polls Weekly Updates