Election Day 2024: Americans Head to the Polls in Pivotal Presidential and Congressional Races
Key Points:
• Presidential Race: Americans are voting today to decide the 2024 presidential election, with Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump each needing 270 electoral votes to win. The states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin are expected to play critical roles in the final outcome.
• Early Voting Results: In a longstanding tradition, the small New Hampshire town of Dixville Notch opened its polls at midnight, where Harris and Trump tied with three votes each.
• Final Campaign Push: Both candidates concluded their campaigns last night in battleground states: Harris in Pennsylvania and Trump in Michigan. During his rally in Grand Rapids, Trump described his main opponent as the “Democrat system” rather than Harris herself, accusing it of corruption and calling for the “silent majority” to vote.
• Congressional and State Races: Key Senate and House races could reshape Congress, as Democrats defend seats in traditionally Republican states like Montana, Ohio, and West Virginia, while five states vote on abortion rights. The House majority remains up for grabs, with closely contested races stretching across states like Maine, New York, Virginia, and California.
• The Path to Results: Due to differing state rules and procedures for counting early, mail-in, and in-person votes, results may take days or weeks to finalize. Variations in reporting methods could also mean that early vote counts are not indicative of final results.
Final Messages from Key Figures:
• Trump’s Final Rally: At his last campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Trump repeated promises to impose tariffs and crack down on immigration. Joined by his family, Trump expressed mixed emotions, calling it a “sad” end to the campaign trail but urging voters to show up in force to secure a victory.
• Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s Reaction: Expressing disappointment over the tight race, Walz emphasized the stark contrast he perceives between Harris and Trump. He noted his frustration that many voters believe “everybody’s the same” despite what he sees as a clear choice between the candidates.
• Arizona Senate Race: Republican Kari Lake, running for Senate, closed her campaign with a rally in Prescott, Arizona. Positioning the race as “Americanism versus communism,” she encouraged voters to “change the trajectory of this country,” echoing themes from Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement.
Trump’s Escalating Rhetoric: Throughout the campaign’s final stretch, Trump intensified his attacks, including against former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, calling her “crooked” and nearly using profanity in his criticism. Trump has continued to use confrontational language toward opponents and media, calling them “evil” and “bad people” in various recent speeches.
As Americans vote, the outcomes will determine not only the presidential race but also control of Congress, which could have a lasting impact on key issues such as abortion rights, immigration, and economic policy.