American voters will cast their ballots Tuesday in an election that could either make Kamala Harris the first woman president in U.S. history or allow Donald Trump to make a surprising comeback.
As polling stations open nationwide, Harris, 60, and Trump, 78, are in a dead heat in what is considered one of the tightest races in modern history. Both candidates spent the final campaign day rallying their supporters and appealing to undecided voters in key swing states.
Despite dramatic twists during the campaign—such as Harris entering the race after Biden’s withdrawal in July and Trump’s survival of two assassination attempts—polls show nothing has broken the deadlock. Polling stations open at 6:00 AM (1100 GMT) on the U.S. East Coast, with millions expected to participate in addition to over 82 million who voted early.
Concerns exist about potential unrest if Trump loses and contests the results, as witnessed in 2020. Increased security measures are in place, with barriers around the White House and businesses boarded up in Washington.
Both candidates are tied in the main swing states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. On the eve of the election, Harris focused on Pennsylvania, declaring, “Momentum is on our side,” while warning that “every single vote matters.” Trump, if elected, would be the oldest and first convicted felon to win the presidency.
A Trump victory would mark the first non-consecutive second term since Grover Cleveland in 1893, amidst concerns from U.S. allies over his isolationist policies. A Harris win would signal the end of the Trump era, making her the first Black woman and South Asian president.
Trump has still not accepted his loss in the 2020 election and hinted he might contest the results again, raising unfounded claims of election fraud.
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