In a new live-dial poll conducted by The Detroit News-WDIV-TV in an Upper Midwest battleground state, the race for the presidency has reached a nail-biting deadlock. The poll, conducted from July 22 to 24, reveals that Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee, holds a narrow lead over Republican nominee Donald Trump. However, their support is separated by a statistically insignificant margin of just 0.3%, well within the 4-point margin of error.

Even with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer rumored as a potential running mate for Harris, the math only slightly improves for Democrats. Harris leads with 43.6% support, while Trump trails closely behind with 41.3%, but they remain within the margin of error. This indicates that an all-woman ticket may not be the game-changer some Democrats had hoped for.

The poll also highlights the significant presence of third-party candidates in the Wolverine State, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., running under the banner of the Natural Law Party, capturing 9.7% support. The survey suggests that the erosion of support for third-party candidates closer to the election could impact the final outcome, and the reallocation of those backers will undoubtedly be crucial.

Other long-shot candidates, such as Libertarian Chase Oliver with 0.7% support and Green Party's Jill Stein with 0.5%, along with support for "other candidates" at 0.3%, further emphasize the uncertainty surrounding Michigan's 15 electoral votes.

Furthermore, polling indicates that Biden's decision to step down from the race has generated renewed enthusiasm among Democratic voters, particularly those under the age of 30 (46.4%), black voters (38.5%), and self-described "strong Democrats" (36.6%), who express more excitement about having Harris on the ballot compared to the current president.

An evident gender gap persists, with a majority of male voters (50.3%) supporting Trump, while Harris garners 35.3% of their support. However, among female voters, Harris receives strong backing (47.4%), showcasing the significant support for the first black female candidate atop a major-party ticket. Trump secures support from 33% of women voters, while Kennedy captures 11.2%.

The poll also paints a discouraging picture for Trump's minority outreach efforts, as not a single African-American voter expressed support for the former president. In contrast, Harris enjoys a commanding 82.1% backing among African Americans, with Kennedy receiving 11.5% support.

With both Trump and Harris unable to secure majority support, the key to victory lies in wooing independent voters away from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who currently holds a narrow plurality of 27%. Harris closely follows with 26% support, while Trump trails behind at 25%, leaving 18% of undecided voters up for grabs.

This survey marks the second consecutive poll this week to reveal a deadlocked race in Michigan. A swing-state survey conducted by Emerson College also showed Harris and Trump tied at 44% when considering the expanded presidential field.

As the presidential race intensifies, both candidates will undoubtedly strategize to secure the critical votes necessary for victory in Michigan, as its 15 electoral votes could prove pivotal in determining the outcome of the 2024 election.