Less than 24 hours before the US election, this is the most eye-catching election in American and even world history.
The election process has been full of twists and turns, starting with Democratic candidate Biden withdrawing from the race and being replaced by Vice President Harris. On top of that, Republican candidate, former President Trump, narrowly escaped two assassination attempts. Now, on November 5th, election day has arrived where every vote will determine who leads the most powerful nation in the world.
This election is proving to be one of the most unpredictable according to polls. Out of the 50 states in the US, 43 tend to lean towards either the Democratic or Republican party, with the focus on the seven swing states. However, most swing state polls show that the support for both candidates is within the margin of error.
Moreover, this could also become the most highly participated election in US history. As of Monday afternoon, a total of 78.73 million Americans had already voted – a number likely to surpass previous years when considering mail-in and early voting.
The impact of the US election will be global, with countries like Ukraine, Israel, China, and Russia closely monitoring the results from day one.
President Biden will spend election day indoors as per the White House schedule, with no public events listed for Tuesday.
Last week, the President voted in Wilmington, Delaware.
In Pennsylvania, a judge ruled that Musk’s activity of giving away $1 million to voters daily can continue until Election Day in a lawsuit brought by the Philadelphia District Attorney.
The winner of the US election might not be determined until days or even weeks, depending on how close the vote is and the speed of counting in each state.
There are 50 states and the District of Columbia in the United States, each with varying speeds of counting votes. Some states count quickly due to laws that require expedited counting or low mail-in ballot rates, while others count slower due to high volumes of mail-in ballots or legal restrictions.
Additionally, provisional and absentee ballots are usually counted after election night. These ballots may play a crucial role when the margin is close. Candidates in close competition can also request a recount, which could further extend the timeline by weeks.
It is important to note that the election results are not officially confirmed until they are certified by each state, which occurs a few days after Election Day. In 2020, the winner was not officially declared until five days after Election Day.
Security measures have been increased around the White House, Treasury building complex, Lafayette Square, the US Naval Observatory, and Harris’ residence with 8-foot-high anti-climbing metal fences erected.
In the square, the statue of the 7th US President Andrew Jackson has also been enclosed within secure barriers due to past instances of damage during protests.
Although not as heavily guarded, the Capitol building has been equipped with temporary barriers and signs saying “Caution line, do not cross.”
The Secret Service has also strengthened security for Trump and Harris including at the White House, Harris’ home at the Naval Observatory, and around the Palm Beach County Convention Center in Florida where Trump plans to host an election night event.
Harris will spend election night at her alma mater, Howard University. The DC police announced that traffic restrictions would be implemented around the area starting at 7 pm.
In their statement, the Secret Service indicated that these security measures are part of the broader public safety preparation for Election Day.
During her final speech to Pennsylvania voters on Monday afternoon, Harris avoided mentioning her opponent, Trump.
She delivered a brief speech in Scranton, emphasizing the importance of unity and dialogue in the nation-building process and conveying messages of hope and positivity.
“What you all signed up to do today, what you’ve been doing all along – let’s embrace it, let’s own it,” the Vice President said.
“We are in this together,” she added, making it her first stop of four in the state. “That’s our power,” she concluded.
Pennsylvania, a crucial state that both candidates need to win, has 19 electoral votes and is the swing state with the most in the election, potentially holding a decisive impact on the results.
Both presidential candidates made stops in Pennsylvania on Monday. Harris’s final stop would be in Philadelphia, while Trump chose to conclude the day in another key swing state, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Harris’s campaign manager, Jen O’Malley Dillon, stated, “We believe this election will be very close. We may need a few days to know the result.”
On Monday, Trump visited three of the seven key states: Raleigh in North Carolina, Reading and Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, and Grand Rapids in Michigan. He planned to return to Palm Beach, Florida, to vote and await the election results.
Encouraging voters to cast their ballots, Trump said at the rally in Raleigh, “Our success depends on ourselves.”
Although polls show a close race, he expressed confidence and readiness for victory, stating, “They can’t catch us if we go out and vote.”
The Democrats aim to win in the “Blue Wall” states, while the Republicans focus on the “Sun Belt” states.
Harris aims to replicate Biden’s 2020 success in the three “Blue Wall” states – Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Trump’s campaign is targeting the Sun Belt states of Arizona, North Carolina, and Georgia. Winning these states would pave his way to the White House.
Pennsylvania holds 19 electoral votes, ranking fifth in the US election for the number of electors and being the most crucial swing state in this election. Winning in Pennsylvania might only require victory in two other swing states to reach the 270 electoral vote threshold.
Georgia carries 16 electoral votes. Biden would be the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the state since President Clinton in 1992.
North Carolina has 16 electoral votes, with Trump narrowly winning the state by 1.3% in 2020.
Michigan holds 15 electoral votes. Historically Democratic-leaning, the state’s union workers are a key group contested by both candidates.
Wisconsin has 10 electoral votes. Trump won the state narrowly in 2016, and Biden reversed the trend with a slim margin in 2020.
The battle between Trump and Harris in the 7 swing states will be decisive in the US election, capturing the intricacies of the electoral process.