You’ve heard the term “swing states” a lot this election season, but let’s break down exactly what they are and where they are so you get the full picture.

Basically, these are states that hold disproportionate influence in presidential elections because they alternate between voting Republican and voting Democratic.

Millions of dollars have been invested in campaigns in these areas, emphasizing that winning additional college votes is crucial.

This year, the critical states are Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and North Carolina.

Here’s what the polls look like in these states right now…

We take a closer look at each one below – or you can watch our how-to video…

Arizona – 11 electoral votes

It’s the state that gave Joe Biden the presidency in 2020 after he supported Democrats for the first time since the 1990s.

It is also the location at the heart of the national debate over immigration due to its long border with Mexico.

Immigration is considered one of the most important issues for voters.

Donald Trump said he would carry out the “largest deportation operation” in history if elected.

Kamala Harris said she would renew her push for comprehensive border legislation that would tighten migration, and pledged to “enforce our laws” against border crossing.

Georgia – 16 electoral votes

Democrats flipped Georgia in 2020, with the state’s large African-American population playing a key role in their victory.

Fulton County, Georgia, is also the area where allegations of election interference took place, leading to one of four criminal charges filed by Mr. Trump.

Gun laws could be a big issue here after a school shooting earlier this year that saw a 14-year-old boy kill four people and injure nine with an assault rifle.

After the shooting, Ms Harris said: “We must end this epidemic of gun violence. »

Throughout her career, she has been a vocal advocate for reinstating the assault weapons ban.

Mr. Trump has pledged to strongly protect gun rights if re-elected.

North Carolina – 16 electoral votes

Like Georgia, North Carolina was once a reliably red state.

Over the past 50 years, Democrats have won only twice: in 1976 with Jimmy Carter and in 2008 with Barack Obama.

Despite this, it is classified as a swing state, with Republicans recording only slim margins of victory in recent elections.

The data also shows that between 2011 and 2021, many newcomers to North Carolina came from the heavily Democratic states of California, New York and New England. Black, Latino and multiracial people also make up 90% of North Carolina’s new residents — groups that traditionally tend to lean left.

However, the majority of the state’s population is white – and polls suggest some are concerned about immigration, which could further the anti-immigration sentiment of Mr Trump’s campaign.

Michigan – 15 electoral votes

In the last two elections, Michigan was the state that chose the winning presidential candidate.

A key issue here has been current President Joe Biden’s support for Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza and the broader Middle East crisis.

State activists have called on the government to suspend military aid to the country.

Mr. Trump has emphasized his support for Israel, saying during a presidential debate in June that the United States should allow it to “finish the job” in Gaza.

Harris also confirmed her “unwavering commitment to Israel” during her meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

At the Democratic National Convention, she also called attention to the “devastating” civilian deaths in Gaza.

Nevada – 6 electoral votes

Both candidates have worked to win over Latino voters here.

Home to Las Vegas, it is one of the regions in the United States that has been hit hard financially by COVID.

The economy, taxes and cost of living will likely be key issues for voters.

Mr. Trump’s campaign website says his vision for the American economy is “low taxes, higher wages and more jobs for American workers.”

Ms. Harris promised tax breaks for small businesses in her economic policy, as well as an increase in the corporate tax rate and higher taxes for those earning $1 million or more.

Pennsylvania – 19 electoral votes

Pennsylvania made headlines in July after Mr Trump survived an assassination attempt while holding a rally there.

Like Nevada, the economy is a major issue in the Keystone State, with food prices rising faster than anywhere else in the United States.

It is also the most important of the swing states, given that it is worth the most electoral college votes.

Wisconsin – 10 electoral votes

Before independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. withdrew from the race, polls suggested he could pose a problem for Mr. Trump and Ms. Harris in Wisconsin.

Some have suggested that this may be the state where third-party candidates make a big difference, with Democrats fighting — unsuccessfully — to remove the Green Party’s Jill Stein from the ballot.

They argued that Ms. Stein failed to follow the state’s election laws and also filed a lawsuit against independent candidate Cornel West.

The state has chosen the winner of the last two elections, with Mr Trump calling it “very important”.

“If we win Wisconsin, we win everything,” he previously said.

Ms. Harris gathered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to celebrate on stage her official nomination as the Democratic presidential candidate.

The economy and abortion rights both emerge as key issues for voters.