In the 2024 US Presidential Election, Donald Trump has secured a major victory in North Carolina, a critical battleground state. This win gives him 16 electoral votes, bringing his total to 246. Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, has earned 189 votes so far. To win the election, a candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes.

The election process is based on the Electoral College, where most states allocate all their votes to the winner of the state’s popular vote, except for Nebraska and Maine, which split their votes. Before joining the race, Kamala Harris had narrowed Trump’s lead in North Carolina, especially after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race. Democrats hoped Harris could make gains among educated voters, but Trump saw success in connecting with Black voters, young voters, and independents. This helped him secure a win in the state.

According to exit polls, Black voters made up 19% of North Carolina’s electorate, and Trump gained 12% of their vote, a 5-point increase from 2020. His support grew especially among Black men, who showed a 12-point increase in their support for him.

Trump’s victory in North Carolina is significant for his MAGA movement. This marks the third consecutive time he has won the state, despite facing impeachment twice and criminal charges after leaving office.

For Harris to have a path to victory, she will need to focus on the three key “blue wall” states—Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin—that Trump flipped in 2016. However, as of now, Trump is leading in all three of these states, making it more difficult for Harris to close the gap.