WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — Voters across the United States took to the polls on Election Day, marking the climax of a fiercely contentious presidential race that could see Kamala Harris shatter glass ceilings as the first female president, or usher in a surprising comeback for Donald Trump, a figure who has remained polarizing since his departure from office.
As polling stations opened their doors this morning, the stakes have never been higher, with Harris, the 60-year-old Democratic vice president, and Trump, the 78-year-old former president, neck-and-neck in a contest characterized by unpredictability and deep division.
In the frantic final hours before voting commenced, both candidates worked tirelessly to galvanize their bases and sway any undecided voters. The atmosphere was charged, with both camps acutely aware that every vote could tip the balance in battleground states pivotal to the election outcome.
The campaign has been marked by unprecedented twists—from Harris’s last-minute candidacy following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal in July to Trump’s resilience in facing assassination attempts and legal challenges. Yet, these dramatic events have failed to break the statistical tie reflected in polling data.
Polling locations opened as early as 6:00 a.m. in key states such as Virginia, North Carolina, and New York, as millions of voters prepared to cast their ballots. This comes on top of an impressive early voting turnout of over 82 million. However, the results may not be immediately available, prolonging uncertainty in a nation already on edge.
Concerns over potential unrest loom large, particularly if Trump contests the results, reminiscent of the chaos following the 2020 election. Security measures are heightened in Washington, with barriers erected around the White House and businesses bracing for possible disturbances.
The global community is watching closely, knowing the election’s outcome could shift dynamics in areas such as the Middle East, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the critical fight against climate change—an issue Trump has disparaged as a “hoax.”
Both candidates find themselves in a virtual tie across the crucial swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
On the eve of the election, Harris concentrated her efforts in Pennsylvania, delivering an impassioned speech at the iconic Philadelphia steps, asserting that “momentum is on our side.” She emphasized the gravity of the moment, urging voters to recognize that “every single vote matters.”
In contrast, Trump portrayed himself as the answer to what he described as an impending apocalypse, filled with societal decay and rampant immigration. “With your vote tomorrow, we can resolve the issues facing our nation and lead America—indeed, the world—towards unprecedented prosperity,” he declared during a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, after stops in North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
Harris capitalized on Trump’s controversial stance on abortion, framing it as a critical issue to attract women voters. Striking a positive tone, she refrained from direct mentions of Trump, opting instead to focus on the hope and change her candidacy represents.
Should Trump succeed, he would achieve a historical feat as the second president to serve non-consecutive terms, following Grover Cleveland. However, his return could reignite international tensions, alarming U.S. allies in Europe and NATO, who fear a return to his isolationist policies.
Conversely, a victory for Harris would mark a historic moment for the nation, as she would become the first Black and South Asian woman to hold the presidency, symbolizing a significant shift away from Trump’s decade-long influence on U.S. politics.
Despite his claims of not seeking future elections post-2024, Trump has not conceded his loss in 2020 and continues to propagate unfounded allegations of electoral fraud. In these final moments before the election, he hinted at potential refusal to accept another defeat, recalling his past grievances and framing the election as a fight for his political survival.
