Washington, D.C., Nov 06, (V7N) - Election Day 2024 is unfolding across the United States with millions of voters casting their ballots in what is shaping up to be a historic and closely contested race between Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Polling places are open across the country, and early results will begin to come in after 6 p.m. ET, starting with states like Kentucky and Indiana.

Both Trump and Harris have spent months outlining their plans on major issues such as inflation, the economy, immigration, and abortion rights, with both candidates making direct attacks on one another. The race has been marked by razor-thin margins in national polls, with key battleground states—such as Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—expected to play a crucial role in deciding the winner of the Electoral College.

In the small New Hampshire town of Dixville Notch, voting began just after midnight, with the first votes reflecting the national divide—each candidate receiving three votes. Early voting results in places like Georgia have also shown promising turnout, with nearly 700,000 ballots cast by 2:30 p.m. EDT, and the state expecting more than 1 million voters to cast ballots on Election Day.

Trump, voting in Palm Beach, Florida, expressed confidence about his chances, stating he felt “very confident” and believed Republicans had shown up in force. He also took the opportunity to criticize media outlets, including Oprah Winfrey and Fox News, for their support of Harris, claiming that Fox was no longer "pro-Trump" in its coverage. Meanwhile, Harris participated in a radio interview in Atlanta, where she focused on her “opportunity economy” plan and addressed issues impacting Black men, such as healthcare access and entrepreneurship.

As the night progresses, it’s expected that the count will continue late into the evening, with many states reporting slowly due to high numbers of early and mail-in ballots. A prolonged process could delay the announcement of a winner, as seen in past tight elections, such as the 2000 race between Al Gore and George W. Bush. In the unlikely event of a 269-269 tie in the Electoral College, the decision would go to the House of Representatives, while the Senate would vote for the vice president.

Globally, foreign leaders are watching closely, as the next U.S. president will have significant influence on international trade, security, and diplomacy. Russia has already expressed interest in the outcome, calling for the U.S. to focus on its domestic issues rather than international conflicts.

For many Americans, the culmination of the long, expensive campaign season means a sigh of relief, particularly with the end of the relentless political ads that have saturated media. With spending on the 2024 election nearing $16 billion, some voters, like Pranav Patel from Pennsylvania, voiced frustration with the endless campaign outreach, noting that it wouldn’t change their voting decisions.

As Election Day winds down, the long wait for results begins. It may take days or even weeks to resolve the final tally, especially in tight swing states, but the outcome of this election will have a lasting impact on the future direction of the country. Both campaigns are bracing for a prolonged election battle, with legal challenges and recounts a possibility in some states. For now, the nation waits anxiously to see who will ultimately emerge as the next president of the United States.

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