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USA TODAY’s journey in the electoral campaign

Umito November 2, 2024

Election day is almost here. But in the months and days leading up to the final vote and the counting of results, USA TODAY journalists fanned out across the country – road trip to key counties like Erie, Pennsylvania and observe election workers in Georgia and North Carolina.

We visited 6 communities that bear the name Hopefrom Hope, Maine, to Hope, Alaska, to see if voters felt a sense of optimism in the midst of an intensely polarized election cycle. And as the red states became redder and the blue states bluer, we analyzed why what’s happening and what voters are feeling on the ground in these key states.

vice-president Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump are statistically linked in national presidential polls – and are deadlocked in almost every swing state. But USA TODAY went beyond the numbers, focusing on Americans’ priorities in an increasingly intense election.

Here’s what we found.

We spoke with voters in key states that could decide the election.

USA TODAY Network reporters speak with voters in seven key states that could decide the 2024 presidential election.

7 Counties in 7 Days: A Cross-Country Road Trip to the Battleground States

The road to the White House goes through seven Swing States: Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada, Arizona.

In these states, the USA TODAY Network team traveled to seven counties whose voters will play a central role in determining whether Trump or Harris wins their state — and, ultimately, the presidency.

In Washoe County, Nevadavoters across the political spectrum explained what brings them to the polls – from the economy to crime to border security to health care to preserving America’s democratic institutions. Erie County, Pennsylvaniathe ultimate indicator, saw renewed enthusiasm after Harris was catapulted to the top of the Democratic ticket.

Hope in America: Yes, hope is still alive and well in this nation

Hope. The town of Maine. Or the one in Alaska. Bill Clinton certainly put Arkansas’ hopes on the map. Maybe, it’s the hope, the feeling.

USA TODAY sent reporters to six of 19 American cities named Hope. Residents of Hope, Alaska, a town 15 miles from Anchorage, try to avoid national politics. In Hope, New Mexico, which has 105 inhabitants, resilience keeps the city alive.

But one more thing the journalists found on their journey to hope: a feeling of alarm.

The dangerous job of counting: How frontline workers in swing states feel

Counting votes used to be a monotonous task. NOW, it has become dangerous.

After losing the 2020 election, Trump spread false rumors that there had been voter fraud. This message was amplified by conspiracy theorists who peddled claims that using machines to count ballots allowed the results to be rigged. Election workers were intimidated and threatened.

Meet the people working to secure the 2024 elections

These citizens explain why they have a vested interest in electoral work even as the country becomes increasingly polarized.

In Atlanta, Georgia, It’s a woman’s job to help voters who might have problems or questions about voting. An electoral coordinator in a suburbs of Detroit no longer talks about his job.

And here’s how officials are preparing for protests and possible violence before election day.

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