Washington, DC [US], November 5, 2024: Americans are casting their ballots today in the highly anticipated 2024 presidential election, where Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican rival Donald Trump are locked in a close race. This election, the 60th in US history, has seen a significant surge in early voting, with over 70 million ballots already cast through mail or in-person early voting.
Key Election Insights
Voter Registration and Turnout:
The US has approximately 230 million eligible voters, but only about 160 million are registered, highlighting a gap between eligibility and participation.
Eligibility Requirements:
To run for president, candidates must meet three criteria under the US Constitution: they must be natural-born citizens, at least 35 years old, and have been residents of the United States for 14 years. Candidates surpassing the $5,000 campaign spending threshold must register with the Federal Election Commission.
Primary Process and Electoral College System
Primaries and Caucuses:
Both primaries and caucuses are held in each state to determine a party’s candidate, though the format varies. Primaries, typically held six to nine months before the election, allow voters to cast secret ballots, while caucuses involve meetings and open discussions at local party events.
Electoral College and Popular Vote:
The president and vice president are chosen through the Electoral College system rather than directly by citizens. There are 538 electoral votes available, and a candidate must secure at least 270 to win. It’s noteworthy that a candidate may win the popular vote but still lose the Electoral College, as has happened in past elections.
Key Issues on the Ballot
This election focuses on several significant policy issues, including immigration, climate change, and the Israel-Hamas conflict. According to a Carnegie Endowment survey, Americans are divided on these matters. A slim majority supports allowing undocumented immigrants to stay if they meet certain conditions, while opinions on climate change and foreign policy vary widely across party lines.
Swing States and Polling Numbers
Swing states such as Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania hold the power to sway the election. Polls project a tight race, with national surveys showing Harris and Trump almost neck-and-neck. The FiveThirtyEight platform reports Harris with a slight edge at 48%, with Trump at 46.9%, while NBC News and Emerson College have both candidates tied at 49%.
Indian-American Influence
Indian-Americans, now the second-largest immigrant group in the US, play a significant role in this election. With Kamala Harris’s candidacy, they may see the first person of Indian heritage become president. The Carnegie Endowment survey shows that 61% of Indian-American voters plan to support Harris, though a shift is occurring with 32% now intending to vote for Trump, compared to lower support in previous years.
Timeline and Counting Process
Polling hours vary across the states, but most locations will vote between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. local time. The first polling stations close at 7 p.m. ET, with results from smaller states projected soon after. However, results from critical battleground states may take longer to finalize. The counting process will continue until all votes are accounted for, and exit polls will start coming in as the voting day progresses.
Looking Ahead
As Americans head to the polls, the nation awaits the outcome of an election that will shape the US’s domestic and foreign policy landscape for years to come. With polling margins tight and record turnout anticipated, the results may well hinge on these critical swing states and the final turnout from key demographic groups.
