US Election: Kamala Harris Leads From Donald Trump's Home Turf - Iowa

Ignored by both Democrat and Republican campaigns during the presidential primaries, Iowa now appears poised to emerge as a swing state in the contest between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

A recent poll by the Des Moines Register showed Harris leading 47 percent to 44 percent over Trump, bolstered by support from women and independent voters. Trump was quick to dismiss the poll as "fake" and "skewed."

"One of my enemies just puts out a poll -- I am 3 down. [Iowa Senator] Joni Ernst called me, everyone's called me, they said you are killing in Iowa. The farmers love me and I love them," he stated at a rally in the key battleground state of Pennsylvania.

Initially, Iowa was not considered a battleground state ahead of the November 5 US presidential election, and it had been excluded from the nominees' campaign stops, as they focused on seven established swing states - Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

According to the University of Florida's Election Lab, which monitors early and mail-in voting across the US, over 75 million Americans had already cast their votes as of Sunday.

The Des Moines Register reported that the poll, which surveyed 808 likely Iowa voters (including those who have already voted and those who are committed to voting), was conducted from 28 to 31 October.

Women, particularly those aged 65 and over, along with self-identified independents, are leading the shift toward Harris, the poll suggests.

Senior women favour the Democrat over the Republican nominee by 63 percent to 28 percent, while politically independent women support Harris by 57 percent to 29 percent. Trump continues to hold significant margins among core supporters, including men, rural Iowans, and evangelical voters.

Interestingly, Trump won Iowa by nearly 10 points in the last two elections. However, this does not necessarily classify it as a Republican stronghold, as Barack Obama previously secured the state in both 2008 and 2012.

Throughout the campaign, Harris has framed the election as one to protect fundamental freedoms, uphold constitutional values, and safeguard women's rights. Trump, in contrast, has focused on promises to rebuild the economy and eliminate illegal migration.