Voting is underway in key battleground states as Americans head to the polls to determine the next U.S. president, with Vice-President Kamala Harris challenging former President Donald Trump in a highly contested race that has implications nationwide.
Our correspondents on the ground are reporting that polling stations are calm and occasionally festive, showcasing a surprisingly low turnout in some areas due to the surge in early and mail-in voting this election cycle.
Of the seven crucial swing states, Georgia holds the distinction of being the first to close polls at 19:00 EST (00:00 GST), while all polling locations will conclude by 22:00 EST (02:00 GST)—the western states, however, will have later closing times.
In Philadelphia, polling in the state’s largest city began under a cheerful atmosphere as residents filled the line to cast their votes. A DJ entertaining the crowd added a festive air as voters enjoyed coffee and bagels while awaiting their turn outside a downtown church.
Long wait times have typically characterized past elections, but the situation today is markedly different.
At City Hall, complications arose when poll workers struggled to manage a stuck door, causing confusion for some voters trying to enter. Reports indicated that polling booths remained unoccupied an hour after the official opening.
In Delaware County, enthusiastic citizens continued to form lengthy lines well into the afternoon, with average wait times extending to approximately half an hour before voters could access the polling stations in the state’s fifth most populous county.
The whole country is anxiously observing how Pennsylvania, a state that famously delivered its 19 electoral votes to Democrat Joe Biden in 2020, will lean this time. The competitive mix of rural and urban voters makes this state an unpredictable battleground, with issues surrounding economics and abortion at the forefront of voters’ concerns.
One point of interest in the outcome will be whether Trump manages to capture a larger-than-expected portion of the Latino vote within the state.
In Buncombe County of North Carolina, the aftermath of Hurricane Helene remains evident as a generator-powered tent serves as a polling station, a temporary solution after the original site sustained significant damage during the September storm.
Despite the recent hardships, roughly two-and-a-half hours following North Carolina’s polls opening, 35 voters had successfully cast their ballots at this location, according to the county’s communications director.
The region, primarily Republican, is poised to influence North Carolina’s 16 electoral votes, particularly following Trump’s narrow victory in 2020, which was under 2%.
“It was an easy decision,” said Debra Kendrick outside the tent, a location where she and her husband Robert, who were rescued by canoe after the storm destroyed their local roads, cast their votes for Trump.
Robert expressed that immigration remains his top priority and added, “I’m just glad we have a place to be able to vote.”
In liberal Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor welcomed a slow stream of voters on an unusually warm Election Day morning, many of whom had opted for early voting. Harris is anticipating substantial turnout in this area to offset expected wins for Trump in rural regions.
Courtney Kutcher, after casting her vote for Harris, articulated the significance of women’s involvement in influencing the election’s tight race.
The diverse demographics in this “blue wall state,” which traditionally supported Democrats until Trump’s win in 2016, include groups such as Arab-Americans, who have voiced dissatisfaction with the Biden-Harris administration’s approach to the Gaza conflict, alongside the state’s considerable unionised autoworker population.
In Atlanta, Georgia, the atmosphere outside polling stations remains joyful, with individuals able to cast their votes in a matter of minutes due to high early voting turnout.
Approximately four million votes had already been tallied by this point, representing around 80% of the electorate, assuming turnout mirrors that of the 2020 presidential election in which Biden was victorious.
In Milwaukee, as voters steadily arrive at locations, they are met with upbeat music played by a DJ to keep spirits high while waiting in line, highlighting the community’s enthusiasm around this election.
Kornisha Lymon, exuding excitement about voting for Harris, danced to the music while waiting to cast her ballot, indicating strong sentiment among voters in predominantly black neighborhoods, crucial for the vice-president’s success.
Political analysts have noted a shift in campaign dynamics, observing less evidence of ground efforts from Trump’s campaign compared to the Democratic side, which appears to be mobilizing passionately.
Security remains a high priority throughout voting locations and ballot counting sites, highlighting the importance of protecting the integrity of the electoral process.
In Arizona, voters are flocking to South Mountain High School in Phoenix, where discussions reveal many citizens were previously indecisive about their presidential vote but ultimately chose based on issues they feel strongly about.
The contentious debate over abortion rights adds another layer of complexity for voters as they weigh their choices between the candidates, with Krystle Colter sharing her mixed feelings about the candidates yet ultimately opting for Harris due to her focus on policies supporting lower-income families.
Nevada is seeing a flurry of canvassers from neighboring California, as Democrats aim to rally support in an environment where the economy and reproductive rights are pressing concerns ahead of crucial voting.
Concerns over inflation and housing affordability dominate voter dialogues, further exacerbated by proposals from both candidates regarding taxation, minimum wage, and reproductive rights, driving Nevadans to the polls.
Who is winning the election right now
**Interview with Political Analyst Jane Thompson on Election Day 2024**
**Host:** Welcome, Jane! It’s great to have you here on this pivotal day in American politics. As we witness the final stretch of voting, what stands out to you about the atmosphere across the country?
**Jane Thompson:** Thank you for having me! Today, the atmosphere is quite interesting. Across various polling stations, we see a blend of excitement and calmness. In places like Philadelphia, voters are enjoying a festive vibe with DJs and snacks while waiting in line, which contrasts sharply with the high tensions often seen on Election Days in the past.
**Host:** That’s encouraging to hear! We’ve seen reports of lower turnout in some areas attributed to the surge in early and mail-in voting. How is this impacting the overall election experience?
**Jane Thompson:** Yes, you’re right. With so many people having cast their ballots ahead of today, it’s resulted in a surprisingly relaxed and organized voting environment at many locations. Polling places that usually experience long lines and wait times are reporting much smoother operations, though there have been some hiccups, as we’ve seen in places like Delaware County with wait times up to half an hour.
**Host:** And what can you tell us about the significance of swing states like Pennsylvania and North Carolina in this election?
**Jane Thompson:** Both states are crucial, indeed. Pennsylvania, known for its mix of urban and rural voters, brings a lot of unpredictability. If Kamala Harris hopes to offset Trump’s influence, she’ll need solid turnout in urban areas like Philadelphia, especially among women and minority groups. North Carolina, with its significant Republican presence and recent devastation from Hurricane Helene, can also sway the election depending on voter resilience and turnout.
**Host:** Speaking of North Carolina, some voters there have faced challenges due to the storm. How are those conditions affecting voter sentiment?
**Jane Thompson:** The resilience of voters like Debra and Robert Kendrick, who made their way to vote despite natural disasters, speaks volumes about the determination of constituents. Their experiences highlight how deeply personal issues like immigration and economic stability are driving their votes. It underscores that, even amidst adversity, voters remain committed to making their voices heard, which could tip the scales.
**Host:** Moving to Michigan, how do you see demographics influencing the outcome there?
**Jane Thompson:** Michigan’s diverse demographics play a critical role. The strong turnout in liberal areas like Washtenaw County, coupled with dissatisfaction among certain groups with the Biden-Harris administration, creates a complex scenario. Harris needs to tap into women’s activism, especially amongst unionized voters, to balance potential losses in rural regions.
**Host:** As we wrap up, based on early voting data, what are your predictions for today?
**Jane Thompson:** Given the data, we could see a high turnout as about four million votes have already been counted. If this trend holds, it will be a robust indicator of participation. However, the outcomes will ultimately depend on how effectively both campaigns motivate their bases and respond to the issues that matter most to voters.
**Host:** Thank you, Jane, for sharing your insights on this significant day. We’re all watching closely to see how this election unfolds!
**Jane Thompson:** My pleasure, and let’s hope for a smooth and fair voting process for everyone.
