LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan is a winner-takes-all state. That means the presidential election takes on heightened importance due to the state’s system where the candidate with the most votes secures all of the state’s electoral votes.

How many electoral votes are needed to win presidency?

In fact, in 48 states plus Washington, D.C., the electoral votes are winner-takes-all. Only Maine and Nebraska distribute their electors proportionally. To win the presidential election, a candidate must secure at least 270 electoral votes, which is more than half of the total.

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This winner-takes-all system amplifies the impact of each voter’s choice, turning Michigan into a battleground where political fortunes can pivot dramatically. With its status as a swing state, Michigan will continue to be a focal point of national attention, as the outcome in the state could tip the scales in favor of one party or the other, shaping the course of the entire election.

Adding complexity to Michigan’s electoral equation is the presence of third-party independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who is gaining momentum around the country.

This wildcard element has the potential to divert votes away from the major party contenders and influence the final outcome. And that is exactly what Kennedy wants to do now that he’s secured a place on the Michigan ballot after getting nominated by the Natural Law Party.

New polling in Michigan adds Kennedy to the mix and shows Trump still in the lead.

Fox News recently published a poll focusing on the Michigan election, factoring in Kennedy’s third- party candidacy.

The poll, conducted from April 11 to 16, surveyed 1,126 registered voters in Michigan randomly selected from a statewide voter file. With a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points, the results show that Republican and former President Donald Trump leads the race with 42% of the vote, followed by Biden at 40%, and Kennedy at 9%.

Who do the voters trust more on certain issues?

When voters were asked who they trust to do a better job on specific things, Joe Biden was chosen for health care, election integrity, and abortion while voters chose Trump for energy policy, foreign policy, the economy, immigration and border security.

Which candidate is more mentally sound?

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Voters were also questioned about the “mental soundness” of each candidate to effectively serve as president. Trump garnered a 49% endorsement for his fitness, while Biden received 40%.

Lastly, regarding their own financial situation, respondents were asked if they felt they were making progress. 48% indicated they were falling behind, 39% reported they were holding steady, and only 13% stated they were getting ahead.

Michigan remains a toss-up state.

The website “270 to win” lists Michigan as a “toss-up” state as do many other election prediction websites and media outlets – and that is not likely to change barring some unforeseen development.

Strategy and challenges of the candidates.

Both of the frontrunners face challenges they must address before November. Biden is dealing with pushback from Arab communities in Michigan due to his pro-Palestinian stance as well as criticism concerning his open border policies and concerns about inflation. His presidential strategy seems heavily reliant on supporting abortion rights and fueling anti-Trump sentiment in order to secure victory.

On the opposing front, Trump is carefully managing his stance on abortion, aiming to portray himself as pro-life without veering into extreme views. His election strategy primarily focuses on immigration, crime, and the politicization of law enforcement, including the scrutiny directed towards the former president himself as he campaigns amidst ongoing court battles.

Michigan is called a “battleground” state for a reason and a battleground it will continue to be for the next 194 days.