PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — If you're one of those voters who are fed up, depressed and don't want to talk about the presidential race — and you are not alone — stay away from social media, and rely instead on websites that try to give you real news. As the candidates make their final turns, there is still much to consider.
So what's the big picture? In Pennsylvania, at least, the big parties seem to be buried in a deep fog with no way to figure out who's actually winning. It's like you've depended on GPS to get somewhere, but it's no longer working.
A perfect example is at the top. This is why the handlers of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are in the state of the highest anxiety.
First, look at the mood. Politicians are at their worst when they don't know what's going to happen. Why, for example, is former Trump becoming more divisive in the final days? Is he insecure about the outcome? Why is Harris concentrating on attacking Trump instead of talking more about her own platform?
✅ 2024 Pennsylvania Voter Guide
It appears that this contest is so close, and the outcome such a mystery, that every move is questioned. And when the contest is at a dead heat, that’s when the ticket is punched for high drama in battleground Pennsylvania.
With Harris suddenly closing the gap in Michigan, the Trump campaign’s Pennsylvania insiders are worried. Pennsylvania Democrats in leadership positions who support the vice president are also at the intersection of fear and hope.
In the last few days, the strategists for both sides are working on the ground game, figuring how to get the voters to the polls, trying to get the most people out to vote on Nov. 5. The GOP has fewer mail-in voters than the Democrats, so their ground game is critical on the actual Election Day.
From my perspective, if you're voting in person on Election Day, it's time to get your ground game together. Find your polling place, map out your trip, and don't forget that, in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, voters will be choosing a U.S. senator.
The most competitive, the brass-knuckle ad battle between Pennsylvania's veteran Sen. Bob Casey and Republican challenger Dave McCormick.
🎧 Bob Casey vs. Dave McCormick
In New Jersey, Democratic Congressman Andy Kim, who upended the state’s political machine, and Republican businessman Curtis Bashaw, who is eager to shake things up in Washington, are fighting to take the U.S. Senate seat vacated by convicted felon Bob Menendez.
🎧 Andy Kim vs. Curtis Bashaw
But don't stop there. In these final days, it's important to talk about the entire ballot. Your representative in state government is an important contact for you. Find out who they are, because when it comes to state scholarships, lost licenses and so many needs, they will be your first responders.
Legislative elections are next year in New Jersey, but this year in Pennsylvania, you'll be voting for your state House and Senate members. Democrats will try to keep the power of the House, while the Republicans will try to hold on to their control of the state Senate.
And don't forget to check out the candidates for Pennsylvania state treasurer, attorney general and auditor general. And don't just vote familiar names, find out who they are and what they stand for. There's still plenty of time to research all of the candidates.