As poll results rolled in late Tuesday, the close presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump began to take shape, with both candidates securing early victories in their strongholds. This historic election could lead to the U.S. electing its first female president.
Trump, aiming for a White House comeback after his 2020 loss, claimed his home state of Florida, adding 30 electoral votes to his tally. Meanwhile, Harris locked in support from several smaller East Coast states. The winning candidate needs 270 of the 538 electoral votes to win, though some states may not finish counting until Wednesday. The winner will assume office in January for a four-year term.
Political analysts predict the outcome will hinge on seven battleground states, where the race remains within a tight 2-point margin, making them difficult to call.
In a related report, Kane Farabaugh highlighted the sentiment, “Time for action, not words: Americans vote on Election Day.”
Jim Kessler, Vice President of Policy at think tank Third Way, noted that Harris’s candidacy resonates with certain voter demographics, partly due to her status as a woman of color, and her pledge to protect reproductive rights after the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision. He pointed out that since that decision, Democrats have often outperformed polling expectations, fueled by increased female voter turnout.
Trump, voting in Florida, expressed confidence, stating, “If it’s a fair election, I’d be the first one to acknowledge” the results. However, critics expect Trump may challenge the outcome if he doesn’t win. Both candidates have prepared legal teams to contest any irregularities they believe could impact results.
Harris recently claimed underdog status in the campaign but has since shown optimism, saying she is confident in becoming the 47th president.
This election will be decided by the Electoral College rather than the national popular vote, turning it into 50 state-level contests. States like Pennsylvania (19 electoral votes), Georgia, North Carolina (16 each), and Michigan (15) could be decisive.
Voters near the nation’s capital shared their voting experience with VOA. Arlington, Virginia, resident Neil Puri described it as “a smooth process” with an emphasis on respect and civility. In Alabama, a state Trump won early, Pastor Robby Boyd expressed hope for a clear outcome, saying, “I just pray that it’s obvious who the winner is so we can move on as a country.”
