NEW DELHI: Georgia has returned Georgiaโs 16 crucial electoral votes to Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential contest. According to reports, Trump defeated Democratic challenger Kamala Harris by a slim margin, receiving 50.7% of the vote to Harrisโs 48.5%. Compared to 2020, when Joe Biden defeated Trump by a slim margin with 49.5% of the vote, this victory represents a dramatic change.
Given Georgiaโs recent status as a swing state, the race there was widely observed. Trump defeated Hillary Clinton with 51% of the vote in Georgia in 2016. However, Georgia had been Republican for decades, so Bidenโs victory in 2020 was momentous for Democrats. Trumpโs triumph in 2024 highlights his appeal to Georgiaโs conservative and rural voters and heralds a return to Republican rule in the state.
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According to reports, Trumpโs impressive showing in rural areas was crucial to the outcome. Trumpโs continued popularity in the stateโs conservative areas is evidenced by counties like Appling, where he received over 81% of the vote, and Atkinson, where he received about 77%. Harrisโs popularity in cities like Atlanta, where Democrats usually have greater support, was unable to bridge the divide in suburban and rural areas.
Exit polls provide information about the changes in the population that contributed to Trumpโs win. Trump garnered significant support from white voters, who comprise 71% of Georgiaโs electorate, while Harris dominated among Black voters, who comprise roughly 30% of the stateโs electorate. Trump also demonstrated improvements with Hispanic and Latino voters, who have traditionally been a competitive demographic, and led among male voters, who supported his campaign at a rate of 56%.
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Georgiaโs voting breakdown by type also reflects the close nature of the race. Trump led among those who voted early in person, capturing 51% of those ballots, and showed even stronger support on Election Day, with 53% of in-person voters choosing him. Harris, however, dominated the mail-in ballot segment, capturing 64% of early mail-in votes.
The close contest is also reflected in Georgiaโs voting breakdown by type. With 51% of the ballots cast early in person, Trump was the most popular candidate. On election day, he received even more support, with 53% of voters casting ballots in person. However, with 64% of early mail-in ballots, Harris dominated the mail-in ballot section.
