The campaigning is almost over, the polls are officially open, and now it’s time for millions of American voters to decide who will become the 47th president of the United States.
Democratic candidate and current Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump enter the final hours of the contest with no clear picture of who will win.
Polls have shown the candidates tied over the past few weeks, though some predictions are now favouring Harris, saying that she will win the younger vote and make gains with Latino voters.
Many experts say it’s the closest presidential race in modern U.S. history.
Both Harris and Trump closed out the battle in Pennsylvania yesterday, each making final pitches to voters across a state that could prove decisive in today’s election.
The all-important swing state has 19 electoral votes up for grabs and is one of seven swing states that will help solidify a win.
The other battleground states include Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina and Wisconsin.
The winning candidate will need to get 270 votes in the electoral college.
The number of electoral votes a state has is based on the total number of senators and representatives.
As of yesterday a reported 82 million ballots had already been cast by mail and early in-person voting — more than half the total votes cast in 2020.
In-person voting started early in Dixville Notch with its traditional midnight vote.
It’s been happening in the small New Hampshire town since the 1960s.
Six registered voters gathered to cast their ballots, which ended in a tie between Harris and Trump.
Harris will spend election day crisscrossing Pennsylvania, ending in Philadelphia where she will be supported by Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga and Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Ricky Martin.
After a morning event in Raleigh, N.C., Trump will hold his final rally of the 2024 campaign at 10:30 p.m. in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Niagara Falls, Ont. mayor Jim Diodati told CHCH its residents will watching the results very closely given the city’s close proximity to the U.S.
Many more Canadians will be watching the results with hope — and some with admitted anxiety.
Watch parties and events are set to take place in community centres, theatres, bars and private homes across the country.
Official election results could take days while the ballots are counted and confirmed.
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