( News Trust of India): As polls continue to open across the United States, the 2024 Presidential Election is officially underway. Voters in over 20 states, including key battlegrounds like Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina, and Georgia, are casting their ballots today. This election is poised to be one of the most closely watched in recent history, with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump in a tight race.
The first ballot for this historic election was cast in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, a tiny community that traditionally opens and closes its polls just after midnight ET. In a symbolic start, the midnight vote ended in a 3-3 tie between Harris and Trump, reflecting the competitive nature of the race.
Final Campaign Events Focus on Swing States
In the lead-up to Election Day, both candidates held their final rallies in pivotal battlegrounds. Harris wrapped up her 107-day campaign in Allentown, Pennsylvania, urging her supporters to turn out and promising to lead as a unifier if elected. “Tonight, we finish as we started: with optimism, with energy, with joy,” she said, adding that her campaign represented “a new generation of leadership” for America.
Meanwhile, Trump made a final pitch in Michigan, a state he’s visited on the eve of each of his past campaigns. Addressing his supporters in Pittsburgh, he promised a decisive win in Pennsylvania: “We’re going to win the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and it’s going to be over,” he said. Trump’s campaign noted that he also made stops in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Michigan on the final day before voting began.
Record Early Turnout Ahead of Election Day
Even before polls opened this morning, early and mail-in voting had surged, with over 74 million votes cast nationwide. This accounts for nearly half the total votes cast in the 2020 election. Both campaigns have placed significant emphasis on encouraging early voting, with many voters opting to cast their ballots by mail or during early in-person voting due to concerns about long lines and potential weather issues on Election Day.
What to Expect as Election Day Unfolds
Voting hours across the United States vary, with most polls opening between 6 am and 8 am local time. The early hours of voting saw a steady flow of voters, with election officials prepared for a potentially record-breaking turnout.
In national polling averages as of Sunday, Harris held a slight lead over Trump, though analysts caution that swing states like Pennsylvania and Michigan could ultimately decide the outcome. Both candidates are expected to monitor the results closely, with Trump likely returning to his Florida residence to await the final counts.
As the votes are counted, all eyes will be on the swing states that could tip the scales in either candidate’s favor. With high early voter turnout and tight polling numbers, it remains to be seen who will emerge victorious in this closely contested race.
