"Trump, Harris win first states as polls close in U.S. election"

As polls close in the U.S. election, Trump and Harris each secure their first statewide victories. The close race is heating up as both candidates focus on key swing states that could tip the balance.

Republican Donald Trump claimed victories in eight states, while Democrat Kamala Harris won three states and Washington, D.C., according to Edison Research. However, the final results remain unclear, with key battleground states potentially undecided for hours or even days.

Early outcomes aligned with expectations, as the election’s outcome will likely hinge on seven crucial swing states: Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin, where polls indicated a close race before Election Day.

By 8 p.m. ET (or 0100 GMT on Wednesday), polling stations had closed in 25 states. Trump led with 90 electoral votes after winning Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia, Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Tennessee, while Harris secured 27 votes from Vermont, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C. The presidency requires a candidate to reach 270 Electoral College votes.

Preliminary national exit polls by Edison reveal that nearly 75% of voters feel American democracy is at risk, reflecting widespread concerns following a heated campaign. Democracy and the economy emerged as top priorities for voters, with roughly one-third citing each, followed by concerns over abortion and immigration.

According to the poll, 73% of voters felt democracy was endangered, while 25% considered it stable. The data highlighted the intense polarization within the country, which has deepened throughout a fiercely competitive campaign. Trump used heightened rhetoric to cast doubt on the election system, while Harris cautioned that another Trump term could endanger democratic foundations. These figures reflect only a portion of the millions who voted, both early and on Election Day, and preliminary results may shift as more votes are counted.

Just hours before polls closed, Trump alleged on Truth Social that there was talk of "massive cheating" in Philadelphia, echoing similar unverified claims of fraud in major Democratic-leaning cities from 2020. Later, he also alleged fraud in Detroit.

Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey told Reuters, "I don't respond to nonsense." Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein responded on X, dismissing the claims as false and calling them disinformation, asserting that voting in Philadelphia has been secure.

Trump, who previously claimed the 2020 election was rigged—leading to a Capitol attack by his supporters on Jan. 6, 2021—cast his vote earlier near his Palm Beach, Florida home. Trump told reporters, “If I lose a fair election, I’ll be the first to acknowledge it.” His campaign hinted that he might declare victory on election night, even with millions of ballots still uncounted, similar to his approach four years prior.

If battleground state margins are tight, the final result may not be known for several days. Millions of Americans queued to vote, with minimal disruptions in some states, including unsubstantiated bomb threats reportedly linked to Russian email domains, according to the FBI.

Sources indicated that Trump would monitor results at Mar-a-Lago and later address supporters at a nearby convention center. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a notable Trump supporter, planned to watch the results with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Harris, who voted by mail in California, spent part of Tuesday urging listeners to vote in radio interviews.

She later planned to address Howard University students, where she studied as an undergraduate at the historically Black college in Washington. Harris shared in a radio interview, "Returning to Howard University, my alma mater, to mark this day feels like coming full circle." Harris also spoke about the symbolism of returning to her alma mater on Election Day, describing it as a moment of personal significance.

The outcome of the election could reshape major policy areas, including climate change, immigration, and healthcare, with profound consequences for the United States and globally. The election saw a record-breaking voter turnout, fueled by polarizing issues and strong opinions on the candidates.

States across the U.S. adjusted voting rules due to the pandemic, leading to an unprecedented number of mail-in and early votes, making the counting process more complex. Both campaigns expressed confidence, but emphasized the importance of patience as votes are tallied over several days.

For questions or comments write to writers@bostonbrandmedia.com

Source: Reuters‍