According to early forecasts, poor weather conditions could impact voter turnout in the seven swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin on Election Day. These swing states will likely determine the outcome of the White House race between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, with recent polls showing a close contest between the two candidates. Specifically, poor weather conditions in northern Michigan, northern Wisconsin, and northern Arizona could lead to disruptions in voters’ plans, with the possibility of snow and rain on November 5.
AccuWeather senior meteorologist Paul Pastelok mentioned that mountain snow in northern Arizona could potentially deter voters from heading out to polling sites. A similar situation is predicted for northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where snow is expected. The timing of an approaching low-pressure system could bring rain and snow to these areas early in the day, which may impact voter turnout, especially among older individuals who may be more affected by cold weather. Despite these challenges, it is still early, and weather forecasts could change before Election Day.
In the 2020 election, President Joe Biden won each of the swing states that may experience poor weather conditions next week, although parts of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula voted for Trump. Looking ahead to the other swing states, Pastelok noted that rain is likely to hold off until after polls close in Georgia, while North Carolina is forecasted to be warm and dry. Some parts of Pennsylvania may see rain showers in the evening, and Nevada is expected to have near-average temperatures with the possibility of precipitation along the western edge of the state. Despite the potential weather challenges, many voters have already cast their ballots through mail-in and early voting processes.
Data from NBC News indicates that over 1.7 million voters have already voted in Michigan, over 850,000 in Wisconsin, and over 1.2 million in Arizona. Current polls show Vice President Harris leading President Trump by a small margin, with a 48 percent to 46.7 percent split according to FiveThirtyEight. Harris also holds a slight edge over Trump in Michigan and Wisconsin based on polling data. As Election Day approaches, voters in these swing states will need to consider potential weather disruptions and make plans to ensure their voices are heard at the polls.
