A large portion of observers firmly believes that this 2024 race for the U.S. presidency promises to extend a line of closest contestation in modern history.

The nation has polarized between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump, with each of them rallying support in the battleground states where polls show a razor-thin margin.

Kamala Harris, the first woman of color to take office as Vice President, campaigns on progressive reforms. She speaks on everything from climate change to economic equity and healthcare reform. Harris promises to continue Biden's work on harder hitting environmental protections, creation of jobs in clean energy, and expansion of health insurance coverage.

Major issues she has to address include the concerns on inflation and economic instability.

Harris also made a high stake in manufacturing during her campaign, appealing to the working-class voters of the Midwest with issues of creating jobs and investment in home industries.

She has been exceptionally vocal on securing social justice reforms, promising to take on inherent inequalities and invest in education and healthcare.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump clings to his hopes of making a comeback since 2020. His "Making America Great Again" slogan has his campaign full of populist rhetoric in his efforts to regain support among America's working class and solidify his base in rural America.

Trump instead blamed inflation and skyrocketing gas prices on the Harris campaign and touted energy independence through increased oil and gas production.

Immigration, too, has been at the center of Trump's campaign; where more control over borders and the curbing of immigration policies have been celebrated. The message appeals to Trump's core supporters, who are still concerned about national security and American economic interests. Trump's rallies have attracted large crowds; internally, he holds a strong sway over the Republican Party.

In the final stretch of this campaign, there are Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Pennsylvania-all swing states that have been critical in the 2024 election.

Harris and Trump have doubled their efforts in these regions, well aware that they hold the key to the Electoral College. Indeed, polls suggest that each of these states is virtually tied between the two candidates, where voter turnout and grassroots mobilization really may prove pivotal for either campaign. That could turn on a dime with the Latino and Black voter turnout in states like Arizona and Georgia.

Just as in so many prior elections, third-party candidates could make the difference in 2024. While none is likely to win, candidates from both the Libertarian and Green parties might take critical votes from either major party and change the overall outcome. The question of whether these candidates will affect voter dynamics in key states is closely watched by many political analysts.

The other relevant issues that hitherto contribute to setting the tone of the 2024 US Presidential Election are economic recovery, immigration, healthcare, and climate change. On the other side, social justice, crimes, and national security are highly salient for the voters since there are different proposals from each candidate.

Harris insists on the necessity of pushing forward progressive reforms, while Trump promises to return to old policy based on national sovereignty and protectionism in the economy.

With the looming 2024 election, the stakes simply couldn't get bigger. It is an uphill task for both Harris and Trump since undecided voters are hard to convince and major divides in the country on almost every key issue persist.

Major decisions on U.S. domestic and foreign policy, and its consequent spillover impact around the world, depend on the electoral verdict; hence, this will surely be one of the most fateful elections of recent times.

Ultimately, it's going to be about who turns out their base and moves the most swing voters in the most critical of the battleground states.