The first voting centers began operating this Tuesday at 05:00 local time (10:00 GMT), marking the beginning of a historic day of these Elections in EU, in which citizens will decide between Kamala Harris, the vice president and Democratic candidate, and Donald Trump, the former Republican president who held office from 2017 to 2021.
The first citizens to exercise their right to vote were residents of Vermont, in the northeast of the United States, where voting centers open their doors from 05:00 local time (10:00 GMT) until 10:00 (15 :00 GMT).
Elections in the USA
Voting center opening hours vary greatly, as the 50 US states and the District of Columbia span six different time zones. In addition, each state has its own electoral legislation that determines the specific times for the opening and closing of the polls.
As the morning progresses, voting will begin at 12:00 GMT in most centers in the District of Columbia and in 17 states that are in different time zones. These states are Alabama, Delaware, Florida, New Hampshire, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Wyoming, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Michigan. The last three are considered “hinge” states.
An hour later, at 13:00 GMT, voting centers will open in ten other states that are in different time zones: Arizona, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.
The last states to open their voting centers will be California and Idaho, at 15:00 GMT. Then, Washington and Alaska will open at 16:00 GMT, and finally, Hawaii will open at 17:00 GMT.
Polls show an especially tight race between Harris and Trump. Nationally, Harris maintains a slim lead of just over a percentage point with 48% support to Trump’s 46.8%, according to the FiveThirtyEight website’s polling average.
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**Interview with Political Analyst Jane Thompson on the 2024 US Election**
**Interviewer**: Good morning, Jane! Thanks for joining us today to discuss the pivotal moments of the 2024 US election.
**Jane Thompson**: Good morning! It’s great to be here.
**Interviewer**: Now, as we know, the election is seeing voters head to the polls to choose between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. What are your thoughts on how this election compares to the 2020 presidential election?
**Jane Thompson**: Well, it’s important to note that initial results indicate a notable shift to the right compared to the 2020 election. Harris is performing less well than Biden did in many key states, which could signal shifting voter sentiments.
**Interviewer**: Interesting. You mentioned key states. Can you elaborate on which states are critical in this election?
**Jane Thompson**: Absolutely. States like Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, often referred to as “hinge” states, are crucial. These states can swing either way, and their results often determine the overall outcome of the election.
**Interviewer**: The voting process has already begun in Vermont. Can you shed some light on how voting times vary across the states?
**Jane Thompson**: Sure! The US spans multiple time zones, and each state sets its own voting hours. For instance, we see early voting in Vermont starting at 05:00 local time, while other states will open their polls at different times. This can influence voter turnout significantly.
**Interviewer**: Given the early results, what should we be looking for as the day progresses?
**Jane Thompson**: We’ll want to keep an eye on voter turnout and the patterns emerging in those hinge states. If Harris can’t match Biden’s performance, it may point to a larger trend in American politics. Additionally, tracking how demographic groups are voting can provide crucial insights.
**Interviewer**: Jane, thank you for your insights! It will be fascinating to see how this election unfolds.
**Jane Thompson**: Thank you for having me! It will definitely be a historic day to watch.
