As part of a push from the nonpartisan group Keep Our Republic to demystify the election process, key elections officials from Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Arizona gathered at the Gerald R.

Held in front of a studio audience in the battleground state of Michigan, Vice President Kamala Harris and Oprah Winfrey fielded questions from voters on gun violence, abortion rights, and more.

The Great Lakes State’s 15 electoral votes are up for grabs in the fall, after Democrats and Republicans traded wins there in 2020 and 2016.

Oprah asked Gretchen Whitmer what Michigan can do if voters there want to see Kamala Harris win the state in the 2024 election.

Much of the attention each presidential election cycle centers on swing states where the outcome can have an outsize impact on who wins the White House. But candidate campaigns and political analysts also zero in on smaller areas where factors like demographics and turnout can play critical roles in the race's ultimate outcome.

Excitement peaked when Winfrey entered the room at an events center in Farmington Hills, where invited guests gathered for a "Celebration of Unity" reception.

The Harris campaign event featured tearful moments as those in the audience shared their personal stories about an abortion ban and a school shooting.

In a livestream event recorded in Farmington Hills, Winfrey hosted a 90-minute sit-down session with the vice president on Thursday, Sept. 19.

Vice President Kamala Harris, Oprah Winfrey and other guests are expected to discuss the Nov. 5 election during a virtual rally from Oakland County.

The talk show megastar will appear on stage with the vice president as she fires up some of her core supporters.