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Election Day 2024 has witnessed record-breaking voter turnout, closing out a historic and high-stakes presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Here are the key highlights and developments so far:
Key Election Day Highlights:
- Record Voter Turnout: Americans are voting in unprecedented numbers, reflecting the high stakes and intense public interest in this year’s election.
- Market Reaction: The Dow is up, continuing the historical trend of market rallies on Election Day, indicating investor optimism or stability.
- Trump and Harris Events:
- Trump voted in Palm Beach, Florida, and will host a VIP dinner for campaign donors at Mar-a-Lago.
- Harris plans to host a watch party at Howard University in Washington, D.C., after her traditional family dinner.
Election Security and Turnout:
- Election Security: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) reports no major national-level disruptions in election infrastructure, though routine, localized issues have been noted.
- Turnout Concerns: Pro-Trump activist Charlie Kirk expressed concerns over mixed voter turnout, urging supporters to increase participation to avoid a flatline in numbers.
Historical Spending and Competitive States:
- Most Expensive Election Cycle: Nearly $11 billion has been spent on political ads, with significant spending in key battleground states.
- Key Battlegrounds: Pennsylvania and Nevada are among the states expected to be too close to call immediately, with experts suggesting the final results may not be known until later this week.
Additional Developments:
- Voting Machine Issues: Technical difficulties have been reported in Pennsylvania’s Cambria County, where paper ballots are being used as a contingency.
- First Results: The small New Hampshire town of Dixville Notch has reported a tie between Harris and Trump, echoing the tight race seen in national polls.
With high voter engagement, substantial financial investment, and critical battleground states still in play, the nation braces for a potentially prolonged wait for final results. Both candidates remain confident, and the eyes of the world are on the United States as this historic election unfolds.
