Close contest

As the US presidential election inches closer, with exactly a week remaining, the largest and most influential democracy of the world is bracing for a tight contest between two leaders who couldn't have been more different.

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By choosing between the Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, Americans will choose one from the two entirely different visions of America, as also its future, for at least four years.

However, it is a well-known fact that the line distinguishing the Democrat and Republican support is very sharp in the United States. With over 244 million Americans eligible to vote, largely a fraction in key battleground states (also known as swing states) will likely determine the overall outcome. In particular, the significance of independent voters and those who may yet decide their allegiance in the final days of campaigning is paramount. The unique dynamics of the US Electoral College and the winner-takes-all system ensure that national popular votes matter less than electoral votes, in terms of decisiveness, particularly in swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, among others.