Washington DC, [US], November 5: Today, Americans across over 25 states head to the polls in what could be a landmark election.
As voting kicks off, President Joe Biden is rallying support for Vice President Kamala Harris, who aims to make history as the first female and Indian-origin President of the United States. Biden urged voters to support Harris, declaring, "Let's make history by electing Kamala Harris," in a post on X.
Vice President Harris also took to social media, reminding voters of the stakes: "Today, we vote because we love our country and believe in the promise of America." She encouraged supporters to call the Voter Assistance Hotline if they needed help, emphasizing, "Your vote is your voice, and your voice is your power."
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, made a final plea to his base, calling this election the “last chance to defeat the corrupt establishment." Trump is seeking a historic return to the White House, which would make him the first president in over a century to serve two non-consecutive terms.
According to CNN, polls have opened across states including Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Opening times vary by state and even by county, with some polling stations open as early as 5:45 a.m. ET. Polls will close at various times, ranging from 7 p.m. ET in states like Georgia to as late as midnight in Hawaii and Alaska. Results are expected to start coming in shortly after the first poll closures.
In this intensely competitive race, polling data shows a tight margin between the two frontrunners. ABC News’s 'FiveThirtyEight' reports Harris with a narrow 1-point lead over Trump, while NBC News and Emerson College indicate a tie at 49% each. Ipsos gives Harris a slight edge with a three-point lead, while AtlasIntel places Trump two points ahead.
With poll closings staggered across states, exit polls will provide early indicators, but final results will only emerge after comprehensive counting. As Americans cast their ballots, the world watches to see which direction the nation will take for the next four years.
