By John Q. Hosedrinker 
According to the final Times poll before the US election, Kamala Harris is set to become America’s first female president. The poll predicts Harris winning the “blue wall” battlegrounds of the north, as well as Nevada in the west, while Donald Trump is forecast to win Georgia and hold North Carolina. The two are evenly matched in Arizona. If these predictions hold, Harris would win the presidency by a margin of 276 electoral college votes to 262, making it the closest finish since 2000. Nonetheless, the poll falls within the margin of error for each of the states, leaving the race’s outcome uncertain.
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Kamala Harris appears to be ahead in enough swing states to win the presidency according to a recent Times poll, and that alone ignites a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The thrill of this news is palpable yet tempered with the care my fellow citizens and I must take in how we interpret it. I find myself reflecting on the nature of polls themselves—often seen as harbingers of victory yet so easily corrupted by moments of impulsive complacency. They suggest a lead, but to revel in that too soon could backfire spectacularly.
The real work lies in our insistence that everyone makes their voice heard at the ballot box. I’ve heard the echoes of advice urging others to vote as if their future depends on it, and I can’t help but agree wholeheartedly. Every single vote matters, especially in battleground states that can swing the election one way or the other. The fervor surrounding Kamala’s lead is indeed promising, but it must fuel a sense of urgency rather than complacency. It’s naive to rest easy simply because good news is surfacing now.
Through conversations with friends and family, a common theme emerges—so many people are newly engaged in this election cycle. Even those who might have sat out previous elections are stepping up to participate. I unearthed a story from a friend who hadn’t voted in years finally casting a ballot for Harris. This rippling effect of enthusiasm is infectious, particularly among women and younger voters, who become voices in the chorus demanding their rights and their true representation. Engagement matters immensely, as it translates directly into turnout on election day.
It’s troubling to scrutinize how the opposition is leveraging their attacks. When I see Trump’s campaign ads, many focused on topics that don’t resonate with voters, like transgender surgeries, I can’t help but think how out of touch they seem. The imminent threat of such drummed-up fear is alarming, but it stands in stark contrast to the issues that truly concern voters—issues like reproductive rights and economic stability. Trump’s tactics appear desperate and almost flimsy in light of the real concerns people carry to the polls.
As I imagine election night unfolding, my heart races with a mix of hope and fear. The stakes are incredibly high, and the implications of this election extend beyond mere politics; they touch the very fabric of who we are as a country. I think back to the fragility of democracy and the importance of safeguarding it against those who wish to exploit it. Complacency could pave the way for Trump and his allies to sow doubt and undermine the election process again, as we saw four years ago.
The enthusiasm gap seems to favor Democrats in these swing states. Every hopeful statistic juxtaposes against the stubborn remnants of an archaic status quo, reinforced by reactionary ideologies. The energy I see among voters transforms into palpable momentum, an electric charge that feels different than in the past. I firmly believe that people are ready to say enough is enough, to cast their choices loud and clear, whether they voted for Harris or the principles she embodies.
Reflecting on this fleeting moment, filled with excitement and uncertainty, what resonates deeply is the collective responsibility we share in this democracy. The rhetoric may be divisive, but the call to action remains clear: voting is our lifeline. A poll showing that Harris is ahead in swing states is reason to celebrate, but that cannot be the endpoint. It must urge us on, light a fire within us, drive us to ensure we mobilize our circles, our networks, and anyone who might need that final push to stand with us. We must make it an overwhelming victory, a statement that cannot be doubted or contested by those lurking in the shadows, waiting to