Washingto, D.C., Nov 06, (V7N) - As Election Day 2024 unfolds, the race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is shaping up to be one of the closest in recent history. Polling places are closing across the country, and early results are coming in. The first races of the night have already been called, with Trump picking up Indiana and Kentucky, while Harris has won Vermont. These early wins set the stage for what will likely be a long night of vote counting, especially in key battleground states that could determine the next president.
 
Voters in Indiana and Kentucky, which are solidly Republican states, have confirmed the expected support for Trump. In contrast, Harris, the Democratic nominee, was able to hold onto Vermont, a strong Democratic stronghold. The race remains razor-thin, with polling in battleground states like Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Arizona showing tight margins, indicating a fierce fight ahead for both candidates.
 
Vermont Republican Governor Phil Scott has won a fifth term, defeating Democratic challenger Esther Charlestin. Scott, a moderate Republican, has focused on issues such as affordability and economic growth during his tenure. In West Virginia, Republican Patrick Morrisey has emerged victorious in the governor’s race, beating Democrat Steve Williams. Morrisey's win follows the announcement that outgoing Republican Governor Jim Justice would not seek re-election but would instead run for a U.S. Senate seat.
 
As the night progresses, the nation’s attention will be on key swing states where the outcome remains uncertain. Trump has a stronghold in red states, but Harris is hoping to flip critical battleground states in the Electoral College map. In 2020, Joe Biden won the presidency by securing 306 Electoral College votes to Trump’s 232, with the key battleground states flipping in Biden’s favor. This year, those same states are once again in play, with both campaigns pouring resources into securing victories in places like Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania.
 
Early voting and mail-in ballots are expected to delay final results in some states, particularly those that are too close to call. Former President Barack Obama reminded Americans to be patient, urging voters to avoid jumping to conclusions as the counting process continues. “Let the process run its course,” Obama wrote on social media. “It takes time to count every ballot.” His comments came as some states are expected to take longer to finalize vote counts due to the high volume of early and absentee ballots.
 
With early wins for both Trump and Harris, the race for the White House remains too close to call. Voter turnout is expected to remain high throughout the night, and the results from key battleground states will likely determine the winner. As both campaigns watch the returns closely, the American public will continue to wait for the final results that will decide the future direction of the country.
 
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