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As Election Day approaches, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are locked in a close battle for the White House, with only a handful of crucial states set to determine the outcome. The 2024 election landscape mirrors some aspects of the 2020 race, where Trump was challenged by Joe Biden. Trump aims to reclaim states he won in 2016, while Harris seeks to maintain control of the states Biden secured to clinch a decisive victory in the Electoral College.

In the 2020 election, Biden captured a total of 81,284,666 votes nationally, surpassing Trump’s tally of 74,224,319. Importantly, Biden also won 306 electoral votes compared to Trump's 232, comfortably exceeding the 270 votes required for victory. Biden's successful campaign relied on building a coalition that returned Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania to the Democratic side, and added Arizona and Georgia to solidify his win.

For the 2024 race, CBS News identifies seven battleground states essential in determining the final outcome. Pennsylvania stands out with its 19 electoral votes, making it a crucial target for both candidates. Winning Pennsylvania could significantly ease the path to achieving the necessary 270 electoral votes.

The allocation of Electoral College votes is based on each state's congressional representation. Every state is assured at least three votes, ensuring smaller states have a proportionally larger influence. The District of Columbia also receives three votes, despite lacking voting members in Congress. These votes are reallocated every decade following the U.S. Census, which adjusts based on population changes.

As a result of recent population shifts, six states have gained electoral votes for the 2024 election. Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina, and Oregon each gained one vote, while Texas picked up two. Conversely, seven states have lost votes: California, Ohio, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

With these new adjustments in Electoral College votes, the stage is set for an intensely competitive 2024 election, where every vote will be critical in deciding the next President of the United States.