With only 15 days left until Election Day, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are focusing on crucial battleground states that could influence the outcome of the presidential election.

On Monday, Trump will hold a rally in Greenville, North Carolina, which is in the eastern region of the state. He is also expected to meet with religious leaders near Charlotte and assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helene in the Asheville area.

Meanwhile, Harris is embarking on a three-state tour alongside former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., on Monday, making stops in important suburban areas of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

The candidates will detail their strategies on issues like the economy, border policies, and other pressing national concerns as they try to gain support from voters in these significant states, which could be decisive come November.

Stay informed with live election updates from the YSL News Network.

Elon Musk’s $1 Million Prize Initiative Raises Election Integrity Concerns

Elon Musk’s announcement of a $1 million daily giveaway to individuals who sign his online petition until Election Day has sparked worries among election law experts, who claim it might amount to election interference.

During a Donald Trump rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Musk introduced the incentive, and presented the first $1 million check to a participant named John Dreher.

Musk stated, “To receive the million dollars, you only need to be a spokesperson for the petition,” as Dreher proudly showed the cardboard cutout of the check.

Experts warn that offering a reward for casting or registering to vote is illegal under federal law and could lead to imprisonment.

Rick Hasen, a renowned election law authority and director of the Safeguarding Democracy Project, remarked on X, “It’s illegal to make a million-dollar prize dependent on voter registration.” He also noted that with registration deadlines approaching for Pennsylvania, it may hinder Musk’s intentions.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro expressed his concerns in an NBC “Meet the Press” interview, stating, “This kind of money entering politics raises serious issues.” He added, “It’s something law enforcement may need to investigate.”

— Cybele Mayes-Osterman

Is Election Day a Federal Holiday?

No, Election Day, scheduled for November 5, is not recognized as a federal holiday.

However, several states treat it as a holiday and close state offices, including New York, Virginia, Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, and at least eight more.

The District of Columbia and 24 states provide paid time off for employees to vote. Some other states, such as Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin, allow time off but do not guarantee pay.

— Cybele Mayes-Osterman

Current Poll Standings for Harris and Trump

As the race for the White House approaches its final stretch, the latest polling average from Real Clear Politics indicates a very close competition between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. As of Sunday afternoon, Harris leads Trump by 0.9 percentage points in national polling figures.

In several vital battleground states, Trump maintains slight leads. He is ahead by 0.7 percentage points in Pennsylvania, 1.2 points in Michigan, and 0.2 in Wisconsin averages. These swing states are anticipated to be crucial in determining the outcome next month.

– Jeremy Yurow 

Harris’s Campaign Stops

On Monday, Kamala Harris will be campaigning in Wisconsin, alongside former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., a prominent critic of Donald Trump.

The duo plans to hold a series of three “moderated discussions” in suburban regions of these pivotal states, according to Harris’s campaign.

They will start in Chester County, Pennsylvania, west of Philadelphia, followed by visits to Waukesha County in Wisconsin, west of Milwaukee, and Oakland County in Michigan, northwest of Detroit.

Cheney has been campaigning with Harris recently after announcing her endorsement of the vice president in September.

– Savannah Kuchar

Trump’s Campaign Tour

This week, Trump begins his campaign tour in the South, starting with events in North Carolina on Monday.

The former president intends to visit Asheville to speak about the recovery from Hurricane Helene.

In North Carolina, he will also hold a rally in Greenville on Monday afternoon and meet with faith leaders in Concord along with his son Eric Trump and former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson.

– Savannah Kuchar