After a turbulent and highly polarized electoral process, Americans vote today to decide who will lead the nation.
- After a turbulent and highly polarized electoral process, Americans vote today to decide who will lead the nation.
- Uncertainty Takes Hold Among Voters
- Polling Places Fortified with Guards and Barbed Wire
- What the Candidates Are Saying Today
- Over 80 Million People Voted Early in the U.S. in 2024
- The Focus of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s Campaigns Is on 7 Key States That Could Decide the Next President
- Together, these seven states account for 93 electoral votes (34% of the votes needed to win the election).
- Michigan, with 15 electoral votes, has the second-largest population (after California) of Arab American voters who live and vote in the Detroit area.
- U.S. Elections 2024: Harris Wins Vermont; Trump Takes Indiana and Kentucky
- State of the Race
- Electoral System
- Next States
- Trump Wins Florida and Leads Electoral Vote Count. Republicans Edge Closer to Senate Control
- Republican Advantage
- Trend in Florida
- Next Decisive States
Americans are voting and heading to the polls this Tuesday in an atmosphere of anxiety, distrust, and hope, with heavily secured voting centers and the goal of choosing between Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and her rival, former Republican President Donald Trump.
In the states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, Virginia, Texas, and New York, voter turnout has been steady since the polls opened. The first to receive voters were those in Vermont at 5:00 AM local time (10:00 GMT), followed by the rest of the states in a staggered manner.
In Philadelphia, the most populous city in the key state of Pennsylvania, dozens of people were waiting in line before the Cook-Wissahickon polling place opened at 7:00 AM local time (12:00 GMT).
At that Philadelphia center, located in a predominantly Democratic city, few were picking up Republican ballots offered by volunteers at the entrance.
In the key states of North Carolina and Georgia, there was a record number of voters who participated in early in-person voting.
Uncertainty Takes Hold Among Voters
Authorities are on high alert for security concerns in the nation’s capital and have increased patrols in downtown areas and around the White House. On January 6, 2021, supporters of Donald Trump stormed the Capitol.
The fact that tens of millions of Americans had already voted helped the day proceed with relative smoothness. In fact, there was a record number of voters in Georgia, North Carolina, and other battleground states that could decide the winner.
With several states offering a large number of electoral votes, the competition between candidates is focused on strategic locations such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Arizona.
These states, traditionally contested between parties, carry significant weight in the electoral system and their results are often decisive in the final outcome.
In this election, states like Nevada and Wisconsin are expected to play a decisive role, as their electoral votes could tip the balance. The campaigns have invested significant resources and efforts in these areas, seeking to capture every last vote. The day is being followed in real time nationally and internationally, as citizens and analysts eagerly await the results that will shape the political landscape of the United States for years to come.
Voters in Florida are deciding whether to protect abortion rights and legalize marijuana, which could be historic victories for Democrats in a state that has rapidly shifted toward the Republican side in recent years.
Polling Places Fortified with Guards and Barbed Wire
In Arizona, a state where incidents occurred in 2020 with Trump supporters demanding a recount, security had been reinforced at some facilities, such as a Maricopa County vote-counting center, where 60% of the state’s population resides.
At that center, a fortress had been erected around the voting building, with groups of police officers waiting at the entrance to direct voters to the polls.
Additionally, the building was surrounded by a barbed-wire fence and guarded by security trucks.
At that center, there were only two doors—one for entry and one for exit—set up so voters could arrive in their vehicles.
The first polling places in the U.S. will close at 6:00 PM local time (11:00 PM GMT) in Indiana and Kentucky, with the rest following in a staggered manner.
From that moment, the first indications of citizens’ will after a year of campaigning and hundreds of polls will begin to emerge. In total, 244 million Americans are called to the polls.
Polls predict a very tight race between Trump and Harris in the seven key states that will decide the election: Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Nevada.
What the Candidates Are Saying Today
In statements to reporters after voting in Florida, Trump said he had no plans to tell his supporters to refrain from violent acts if he loses the election.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris is making appearances on popular radio programs to appeal to voters in key states.
Harris spoke about immigration, how to overcome political divisions, and how her proposals could impact African American men and the historical implications of this election.
Over 80 Million People Voted Early in the U.S. in 2024
More than 80 million votes have been cast in 47 states and the District of Columbia.
In 27 states, registered Democrats cast 37% of early votes, while registered Republicans cast 35%.
The data offers insight into who chooses to vote before Election Day but does not predict election outcomes.
In Florida, more than 8 million people have already voted.
Across the country, far fewer voters chose to vote before Election Day this year compared to the 2020 election during the pandemic.
Four years ago, more than 110 million Americans voted early in person or by mail—approximately 70% of all those who voted in that election.
The Focus of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s Campaigns Is on 7 Key States That Could Decide the Next President
Securing the 270 electoral votes in the Electoral College is only possible for any candidate, Republican or Democrat, by winning the so-called swing states, which do not have a solid tendency toward either party.
Achieving those votes is only possible for any candidate by winning the so-called swing states, which do not have a solid tendency toward either party.
These states change over the years; they are not always the same and can vary in number. For the 2024 election, seven states could tip the presidential election in favor of Harris or Trump.
Together, these seven states account for 93 electoral votes (34% of the votes needed to win the election).
Arizona, with 11 electoral votes, has been a solid Republican stronghold; however, with the growing diversification of its population, the state has begun to shift into a swing state.
North Carolina, with 16 electoral votes, saw Donald Trump defeat Joe Biden by just 1.3% in the last election, equivalent to about 74,000 votes.
Georgia, with 16 electoral votes, had not chosen a Democratic candidate since 1992, when Bill Clinton won. It was the state that delivered the biggest surprise in the 2020 election, with Joe Biden’s razor-thin victory over Donald Trump by just 12,000 votes.
Georgia’s population continues to grow, and its demographic composition has become more diverse. Notably, the Hispanic population and other non-Hispanic groups have increased by 14% between 2020 and 2023, while the non-Hispanic white population has remained virtually stable.
Michigan, with 15 electoral votes, has the second-largest population (after California) of Arab American voters who live and vote in the Detroit area.
A movement of thousands of ‘uncommitted voters’ has refused to support Harris or Trump. This represents a significant problem for the vice president, as many of these voters were considered ‘safe’ for Democrats.
Nevada, with 6 electoral votes, is the swing state that assigns the fewest electoral votes, but these six votes are extremely important in an election as close as 2024’s.
Pennsylvania, with 19 electoral votes, is the big prize, the giant of swing states. Many analysts believe the candidate who wins here could have a clear path to the White House.
Wisconsin, with 10 electoral votes, has seen slight growth in its total population between 2020 and 2023, with a notable 6.9% increase in the Hispanic community and stagnation in the non-Hispanic white population.
Image: Mundour
U.S. Elections 2024: Harris Wins Vermont; Trump Takes Indiana and Kentucky
By La Opinión
Updated: Nov. 5, 2024, 7:56 PM EST Published: Nov. 5, 2024, 7:30 AM EST
In the first results of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the following victories have been recorded:
Donald Trump has secured his first wins of the night by taking:
- Indiana, earning 11 electoral votes with 61% of the vote
- Kentucky, adding 8 electoral votes
Meanwhile, Kamala Harris has achieved:
- Vermont, securing 3 electoral votes
State of the Race
The candidates are virtually tied according to polls, and the decisive results could begin to emerge with the vote count in swing states like Georgia and North Carolina.
Electoral System
To win the presidency, candidates need:
- To reach a majority of 270 electoral votes in the Electoral College
- The Electoral College has a total of 538 electoral votes
Next States
The following states will close their polling places next:
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- West Virginia
Projections of these initial results have been confirmed by the Associated Press and outlets like Fox News, NBC, and ABC.
According to the latest 2024 presidential election results:
Trump Wins Florida and Leads Electoral Vote Count. Republicans Edge Closer to Senate Control
Updated Nov. 5, 2024, 8:20 PM GMT-5
Donald Trump has secured a major victory in Florida, a key state that provides 30 electoral votes. Polls had already anticipated this outcome, with 58% support among Hispanic voters compared to 40% for Harris.
Republican Advantage
Trump is building a strong electoral lead after securing:
- Florida (30 electoral votes)
- Indiana (11 electoral votes)
- Kentucky (8 electoral votes)
Meanwhile, Harris has only secured:
- Vermont (3 electoral votes)
Trend in Florida
Trump’s victory in Florida is backed by:
- Strong support from the Hispanic community, which represents over 20% of the state’s population.
- Pre-election polls gave him a 50.3% to 44.2% lead over Harris.
- Preliminary results showed a clear trend with 43% for Trump versus 33% for Harris.
Next Decisive States
Attention is now focused on key states such as:
- North Carolina (16 votes)
- Georgia (16 votes)
- Michigan (15 votes)
- Wisconsin (10 votes)
Trump has expressed confidence in his victory, particularly in Georgia, though he has voiced concerns about potential delays in the final vote count.
