NEW YORK: The 2024 U.S. presidential election is officially underway as polling stations across key Eastern states open their doors to voters.
As per foreign media report, millions of Americans having already cast their ballots in early voting, today marks a critical juncture as voters head to the polls in person.
Polls have opened in several states, including New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and New Hampshire, with additional polling locations in Kentucky, Indiana, and Connecticut. The small town of Dixville Notch in New Hampshire, known for its long-standing tradition of casting the nation’s first votes just after midnight, was among the first to report. In a rare twist, the town’s early ballots resulted in a tie, with both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump receiving three votes each.
Polling stations across the Eastern U.S. opened at 6 a.m. ET in eight states, including Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, and Virginia. In Indiana and Kentucky, voting began at 6 a.m. ET, though some areas in the Central Time Zone opened at 7 a.m. ET. Maine saw nearly all polling stations open at 6 a.m. ET, except in smaller municipalities where some polls may open as late as 10 a.m. ET.
As the day unfolds, attention is turning to the campaigns of both major candidates. Republican nominee Donald Trump has chosen to spend Election Day in Florida, where he will cast his vote in person, despite earlier intentions to vote early. Later, Trump will host an Election Night watch party in Palm Beach.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris, running for re-election with President Joe Biden, will attend an Election Night event at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Harris, a Howard graduate, has deep ties to the historically Black university, where she was actively involved in student organizations such as the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
With millions of voters heading to the polls throughout the day, Election Day 2024 promises to be a historic and high-stakes moment for the U.S. political landscape. Voters are urged to check their local polling hours and ensure they’re prepared to cast their ballots in this critical election
