As Americans take to the polls for the 2024 US presidential election, the race between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris is too close to call.
National polls show both candidates in a dead heat. With voter turnout reportedly surging across the country, the next U.S. president will likely be determined by razor-thin margins in a few key battleground states.
Trump and Harris urge Americans to vote
On social media, both Trump and Harris issued rallying calls to voters as polling began. Kamala Harris, addressing Americans via X, emphasized the election’s importance, saying, “America, this is your moment to make your voice heard.”
Trump, meanwhile, took to social media with a familiar message, urging supporters to "Make America Great Again" and to "stay in line no matter how long it takes.”
Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance casts vote in Ohio
Republican Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance cast his ballot early this morning in Ohio, underscoring the high stakes of the election. Trump himself voted in Palm Beach, Florida, accompanied by his wife, Melania, and family members, as cameras captured the scene at his polling location.
Trump expressed optimism about the election outcome, telling reporters, “We have a great country but it’s in trouble right now – we have to fix it, and I’m confident that we will succeed by a large margin.”
Kamala Harris leads in Pennsylvania
According to recent reports from British media, Harris is currently leading in Pennsylvania, one of the pivotal battleground states. However, Trump holds narrow leads in Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina, and Arizona, while Harris has a slight advantage in Wisconsin and Michigan.
With 78.9 million early ballots already cast, all eyes are on these key states as both candidates aim for the 270 electoral votes needed to win.
Swing states see strong turnout
Polling has started in more than 34 states, including crucial swing states like Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, and Arizona.
Turnout is reportedly high, with long lines observed in states like Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Delays and extensions in voting hours are expected, as high turnout and technical glitches test the election infrastructure.
Voting machine issues
In Pennsylvania’s Cambria County, a software glitch in voting machines led the Board of Elections to request a court extension of voting hours from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. This delay has raised concerns about potential disenfranchisement.
“The [electronic voting system] software malfunction is jeopardizing the right of a large number of voters,” the board noted in court filings.
Bomb threat in Georgia’s Fulton county
Two polling stations in Fulton County, Georgia, were temporarily evacuated due to a bomb threat, adding to the challenges of Election Day.
Officials have since confirmed that the threats, suspected to originate from Russian sources, were deemed false, and voting has since resumed. County officials are requesting that polling hours be extended to account for the disruption.
First vote cast in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire
As is tradition, the small town of Dixville Notch in New Hampshire kicked off Election Day voting, casting the first ballots of the 2024 election. Both Trump and Harris received three votes each, reflecting the tight nature of this race.
This New Hampshire town, located near the Canadian border, has held this tradition since the 1960s and often offers an early indicator of the nation’s mood.
Trump pledges to accept results If “fair”
After casting his vote, Trump addressed the issue of election integrity, stating he would "be the first one to acknowledge" the results if the election is fair.
However, he did not specify what he considers "fair," and when pressed by reporters, he mentioned no plans to instruct his supporters against violence in the event of a loss, saying, “My supporters are not violent people.”
Results expected in early morning, Pakistan time
As Americans vote, those watching from Pakistan can expect early election results to start trickling in between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 6, Pakistan Standard Time.
Given the extended hours for vote counting in western states, a definitive result may not emerge until later, particularly if the outcome hinges on close margins in swing states.
With early voting numbers exceeding 70 million, the outcome of the 2024 presidential race may still be days away. Each candidate will need a minimum of 270 electoral votes from a total of 538 to claim victory.
Swing states like Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, and Michigan are expected to be pivotal, and their delayed results may extend the election’s suspense well beyond Election Day.
