In an unprecedented race for the White House, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are set to face off in the 2024 presidential election, marking the first contest in over a century where a current and former president compete for the highest office in the land.

With only six months remaining until Election Day, both candidates find themselves in a race that is simultaneously deeply entrenched and highly uncertain. Many voters are just beginning to grasp the reality of the upcoming campaign, as wars, trials, and divisive issues dominate the political landscape.

Despite lingering disbelief among some voters, it appears that Biden and Trump will indeed be the presumptive nominees for their respective parties in the general election this fall. Sarah Longwell, co-founder of Republican Voters Against Trump, explains that many voters have gone through stages of denial and depression, but are now reaching a point of acceptance.

The upcoming race also carries significant age-related concerns. Biden, who will turn 82 years old soon after Election Day, is already the oldest president in U.S. history. Trump, at 77, follows closely behind. Privately, Democratic operatives express worry over Biden's health and how it may impact voters' perceptions. Aides have even taken measures to mask the president's stiff gait during public appearances.

While doubts persist, neither party is actively formulating backup plans for the general election. The matchup between Biden and Trump is largely seen as inevitable. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, points out that many voters are still recovering from the intense 2020 election and have yet to fully grasp the fact that a rematch is on the horizon. Nonetheless, Cooper believes Biden will ultimately prevail.

Even though voters have yet to fully tune in, the battle for the crucial 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency is already taking shape. Biden's campaign is increasingly optimistic about reclaiming North Carolina, which he lost by a mere 1 percentage point in the last election. The Democratic president's reelection campaign has established a strong presence with several hundred staff members stationed across 133 offices in seven key swing states: Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, and North Carolina.

As the 2024 campaign kicks into high gear, the race between Biden and Trump promises to provide an intense and unpredictable political showdown. In the coming months, voters will closely follow the candidates' positions on key policy issues, further shaping the trajectory of the race.