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

Basically, these are states that have a disproportionate influence on presidential elections because they alternate between Republican and Democratic votes.

Millions of dollars have been invested in campaigns in these areas, underscoring 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 those states right now…

We take a closer look at each below, or you can watch our explainer video…

Arizona – 11 electoral votes

This was the state that gave Joe Biden the presidency in 2020 after backing Democrats for the first time since the 1990s.

It is also the center of the country’s immigration debate due to its long border with Mexico.

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

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

Kamala Harris has said she will renew her efforts for comprehensive border legislation to limit migration and has vowed to “enforce our laws” against border crossings.

Georgia – 16 electoral votes

Democrats defeated Georgia in 2020, and the state’s large African American population played a key role in their victory.

Fulton County in Georgia is also the area where the alleged election interference took place, leading to one of Trump’s four criminal charges.

Gun laws could be a big issue here after a school shooting earlier this year, in which a 14-year-old boy killed four people and wounded nine with an assault rifle.

After the shooting, Ms. Harris said, “We have to end this epidemic of gun violence.”

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

Trump has promised to strongly protect gun rights if he is re-elected.

North Carolina – 16 electoral votes

Like Georgia, North Carolina used to be a reliably red state.

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

Despite this, it is classified as a swing state, as Republicans won only narrow margins of victory in recent elections.

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

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

Michigan – 15 electoral votes

In the last two elections, Michigan has been the state that has chosen 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 been calling on the government to stop its military aid to the country.

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

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

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

Nevada – 6 electoral votes

Both candidates have been working to win over Latino voters here.

Home to Las Vegas, it is one of the regions in the US that has been severely affected financially by COVID.

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

Trump’s campaign site says his vision for the American economy is “lower taxes, bigger paychecks and more jobs for American workers.”

Harris has promised in her economic policy a tax cut for small businesses, 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 Trump survived an assassination attempt while holding a rally there.

As in Nevada, the economy is a major issue in the Keystone State, where grocery prices are rising faster than anywhere else in the United States.

It is also the most important of the swing states, as it deserves the most electoral college votes.

Wisconsin – 10 electoral votes

Before independent candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr dropped out of the race, polls suggested he could prove a problem for Trump and Harris in Wisconsin.

Some have suggested this could be the state where third-party candidates make a big difference, with Democrats fighting, unsuccessfully, to knock the Green Party’s Jill Stein off the ballot.

They argued that Stein failed to comply with state election laws and also filed a complaint against independent candidate Cornel West.

The state has chosen the winner of the last two elections and Trump described it as “really important.”

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

Harris has demonstrated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, celebrating her official nomination as the Democratic presidential candidate on stage.

The economy and abortion rights stand out as key issues for voters.