Guardian analysis suggests Harris underperformed compared with 2020 – but in the states that mattered most it was Trump’s gains that won him the White House

Summary

The recent U.S. election saw a significant Democratic underperformance, with Kamala Harris drawing 1.4 million fewer votes than Joe Biden in 2020, while Donald Trump gained 1.1 million additional votes.

Nationally, Democrats lost more votes than Republicans gained, but in key swing states like Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, Trump’s gains outpaced Harris’s losses, securing his victory.

In many counties, Democratic votes dropped sharply even where Republican gains were modest.

Higher turnout in swing states, driven by Trump supporters, was a crucial factor in his win.