As the countdown to Election Day ticks down to less than a week, a new exclusive poll from YSL News/Suffolk University reveals that Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are locked in a tie in Michigan, a crucial battleground state.

The poll, which surveyed 500 likely voters, shows Harris and Trump both receiving 47% of the support. This result falls within the poll’s margin of error of 4.4 percentage points. The survey was conducted from October 24 to 27.

In Kent County, long recognized as a key indicator for statewide trends, Harris currently holds a slight edge over Trump with 47% to 46% among 300 likely voters, though this lead is also within the margin of error of 5.7 percentage points.

“This race is incredibly close,” remarked David Paleologos, who oversees the Political Research Center at Suffolk University and managed the YSL News poll. “We’re truly looking at a race that’s too close to call.”

In the 2016 election, Trump edged out Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in Kent County, winning 48% to 45%, which was consistent with his overall victory in the state. However, Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee in 2020, reversed that trend by winning 52% to 46% and securing the state.

“Kent County could play a crucial role in determining the election outcome,” Paleologos added. “The trends in this county often reflect those statewide. For instance, if Harris secures a win in Kent County by three or four percent, she could achieve a statewide victory by about the same margin, assuming past voting behaviors hold true.”

Michigan, offering 15 electoral votes, is one of seven pivotal swing states where Harris and Trump are competing for influence heading into the presidential race. The state, often considered part of the “Blue Wall” along with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, has historically leaned Democratic. However, Trump successfully turned the tide in these states in the 2016 election, though Biden reclaimed them in 2020.

The latest YSL News/Suffolk polls indicate that Michigan and the six other swing states remain extremely competitive, reflecting a similarly uncertain national landscape.

Several presidential candidates are listed on the ballot in Michigan, including third-party candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Jill Stein, and Cornel West, who each received about 1% support in the YSL News/Suffolk Poll.

Notably, Kennedy, who exited the race in August to back Trump, will still appear on the Michigan ballot after the Supreme Court denied his request to be removed from ballots in that state and in Wisconsin. His objective is to avoid splitting the vote in favor of Trump.

However, Paleologos warned that their presence could affect the outcome significantly.

“In a tightly contested race like this, you can’t dismiss a candidate getting just 1% of the vote,” he expressed. “Each of these third-party candidates has the potential to sway the results in Michigan and, consequently, the overall election.”

Voter Perspectives: Passionate Opinions

Linda Randle, a 68-year-old from Lathrop Village, has already cast her vote for Harris, confident that the Democratic nominee will work to benefit all Americans.

“I believe she genuinely cares about everyone, regardless of their political affiliations,” Randle shared. “Her initiatives, especially regarding the economy and housing, are designed to help everyone qualified, including Republicans and independents.”

A retired administrative assistant in the automotive industry and a mother of two adult sons and three grandchildren, Randle urges everyone to participate in the electoral process, regardless of their chosen candidate.

“My hope is for America to unite and address our differences through meaningful dialogue rather than hostility,” she added. “That’s my wish: for our country to come together.”

Ben Gottwald, a 34-year-old from Traverse City, shared that he plans to vote for Trump, believing that the former president can revitalize the economy and control government spending.

“He’s not without flaws, but I think he did well during his first term,” Gottwald expressed. “My main concern was his spending habits that contributed significantly to America’s deficit.”

A Marine Corps veteran who served nearly eight months in Afghanistan over a decade ago, Gottwald expressed frustration with both parties’ inability to cooperate in Congress, indicating that some politicians seem more interested in personal gain rather than serving the public good.

“Nothing changes because it’s beneficial for both parties involved and the lobbyists,” stated Gottwald.

As a building contractor, Gottwald has noticed that more Americans express an interest in buying homes but feel they can’t afford to, resulting in “lost income” for him. He argues that the housing market was in a better place during Trump’s presidency.

“Owning a home used to represent the American Dream—an achievement that allowed you to build equity. Now, it seems increasingly out of reach,” he added.

Charles Swanson, 32, from Auburn Hills, Michigan, noted that he voted for Harris, in part, because he has an aversion to Trump.

Swanson, a married physician specializing in internal medicine and pediatrics, appreciates Harris’ commitment to addressing climate change and her continued support for Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia—beliefs he feels Trump and his running mate JD Vance would not uphold.

“She appears compassionate and attentive to people’s needs,” said Swanson, a Democrat who admits to having “mixed feelings” about Harris. “While I support her foreign policy views, I’m not impressed by her economic or immigration strategies. I also think she hasn’t managed the border issue very well.”

However, Harris has done enough to secure his vote over Trump, according to Swanson.

“Attempting to overturn the previous election should disqualify someone from running again,” Swanson asserted. “I was also put off by the chaos during his term, the corruption, and his criminal convictions.”

On the other hand, Jolynn Harris, 73, of Adrian, Michigan, announced her intention to vote for Trump this week to avoid long lines on Election Day. The retired sales worker from a manufacturing firm hopes Trump will continue his agenda.

“I don’t need him to be my best friend; I just want him to get things accomplished,” remarked Harris, a Republican for over four decades. “Trump cut our taxes and began construction on the southern border wall. He has unfinished business to address.”

Jolynn Harris, a mother of five adult children and 11 grandchildren, expressed disinterest in the Vice President and refuses to vote for her simply because of her gender.

“I seek someone who is capable, and I don’t think she fits that bill,” Jolynn stated. “To me, she’s not presidential material.”

Harris conveyed her eagerness for the election to conclude.

“I believe many people feel similarly. I hope we can find stability in our country moving forward. We definitely need it,” said Harris. “I think we’re in quite a predicament right now, and it will take more than four years to resolve it.”