Americans Head to Polls in Tight Presidential and Congressional Race
WASHINGTON – Millions of Americans began casting their ballots early Tuesday as polling stations opened across the country, with a closely contested race for the White House between Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump.
The first polling stations opened at 5 a.m. Eastern Time (1000 GMT) in parts of Vermont, with a broader wave of openings following an hour later in key states including New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Virginia. As the day progresses, polling stations will continue to open across various time zones, with Hawaii’s polls the last to open at noon Eastern Time (1700 GMT). Poll closures will begin in some states at 7 p.m. Eastern (0000 GMT Wednesday), while Alaska will be the final state to close at 1 a.m. Eastern Time Wednesday (0600 GMT).
In line with U.S. voting rules, anyone in line when polls close will still be allowed to vote, meaning polling locations may stay open past their scheduled closing times.
Early Voting Sees Drop from 2020 Numbers
This year’s election saw nearly 83 million Americans casting early ballots, either by mail or in person, according to data from the University of Florida’s Election Lab. This is a notable drop from the 2020 cycle, where more than 101 million people voted early, a surge driven by COVID-19 concerns.
As of Monday, the race remains remarkably close, with Harris and Trump nearly tied nationally. According to Real Clear Politics’ polling average, Harris holds a narrow lead of just 0.1%, polling at 48.7% to Trump’s 48.6%. However, national polling tells only part of the story in a U.S. election, where the path to the presidency runs through critical swing states.
Battleground States to Decide Presidency
The race is expected to be decided in seven key battleground states where the margins are razor-thin: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. Trump holds slim leads in Arizona (+2.8%), Georgia (+1.3%), North Carolina (+1.2%), Nevada (+0.6%), and Pennsylvania (+0.4%). Meanwhile, Harris is ahead in Michigan (+0.5%) and Wisconsin (+0.4%). Polling in these states has margins of error ranging from 3% to 5%, making the outcome highly uncertain.
Both candidates spent the final days of their campaigns focused on these battlegrounds, with Harris holding rallies across Pennsylvania on Monday, while Trump campaigned in Pennsylvania before capping off the day with a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Given the tight race, major media outlets are unlikely to declare a winner on election night, marking a shift from historical norms. The heightened competition in these pivotal states means that results may not be clear until all ballots, including mail-in votes, are counted.
Electoral College Remains Decisive
Unlike many other democracies, the U.S. does not directly elect its president through a popular vote. Instead, the Electoral College decides the presidency. Candidates must secure at least 270 of the 538 electoral votes to win. Each state is assigned a set number of electors based on its population, with most states following a winner-take-all model. Only Maine and Nebraska divide their electoral votes based on congressional district results, adding an extra layer of complexity to the election.
Control of Congress at Stake
Beyond the presidential race, voters are also determining the makeup of the next U.S. Congress. In the Senate, 34 seats are on the ballot, with four key races—Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—viewed as toss-ups. Republicans hold a slight edge to reclaim the Senate, although any party that wins will face a delicate balance, as procedural rules often require 60 votes to advance major legislation in the 100-seat chamber.
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for election, and forecasts indicate the chamber will be nearly evenly split. Control could shift based on just a few dozen competitive races, underscoring the stakes for both parties.
State and Local Issues Also in Focus
In addition to federal offices, voters are deciding on a wide range of state and local issues, from school board seats to ballot measures that may carry the force of law. A total of 11 states are also holding gubernatorial elections, adding further significance to this election cycle.
As Americans head to the polls, the nation faces a crucial turning point, with decisions that will shape its political landscape, policies, and future direction.
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