World watches closest presidential race in modern American history

New Delhi, Nov 5: It is Tuesday, election day in the United States, and all eyes are on one of the closest presidential races in modern American history where a record number of US voters are going to cast a vote.

Poll analysts say Neither Democratic Kamala Harris nor Republican Donald J. Trump holds a clear lead, with polling data showing a tight race, neck-to-neck, that has yet to yield a decisive front-runner in the crucial swing states.

Each candidate that needs 270 electoral votes is paved with uncertainties, hinging on the outcomes in swing states called also as “battleground states” like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Polls on Tuesday morning have opened across the country with much fanfare amid tight security and Americans are not only selecting their next president but also deciding critical issues including Senate seats and referendums on matters like abortion and marijuana legalisation.

Kamala Harris concluded her campaign with a rally in Pennsylvania, while Trump held his final event in Michigan. As each camp makes its last-minute push, voters are turning out in droves, queuing in long lines to cast ballots that may well influence U.S. policy for years to come.

More than 82 million people had already voted early, setting a record turnout even before Election Day highlighting both the stakes and the intensity of this election. Media reported that voting began at midnight in some areas, like the small New Hampshire town of Dixville Notch, where Harris and Trump were tied with three votes each. Early images and reports show long lines forming outside polling stations from North Carolina to Georgia.

A Close Contest

As polling places open across time zones, the United States braces for what could be a drawn-out counting process. Polls close at staggered times, and by 11 p.m. Eastern Time of US and around 9 am on Wednesday Indian time, as all U.S. mainland states will have closed their polling locations, though Hawaii and Alaska will remain open for a few hours longer.

Some observers said that in past elections, a candidate was typically declared soon after California’s polls closed, but this year, given the tight race and the high volume of early and absentee voting, a clear outcome might take days. Election officials have urged patience, reminding the public that an early lead may not be indicative of final results, especially as mail-in ballots often are counted later and can shift the numbers.

Both candidates have made issues like abortion rights, tax cuts, and immigration central to their campaigns, reflecting the deep ideological divides that shape the current U.S. political landscape. Harris has campaigned on protecting reproductive rights and lowering costs for working families, while Trump has doubled down on promises to curb immigration and implement sweeping tax cuts. Amidst an atmosphere charged with claims of potential election interference and the spectre of 2020’s contested results, state officials have reassured voters that safeguards are in place.

More Than Just a Presidential Race

Today’s election also determines control of Congress, where the Senate’s current Democratic majority is up for grabs with one-third of seats on the ballot. The entire House of Representatives is also up for re-election, with Republicans currently holding a narrow majority. In addition, ten states will vote on the legality of abortion, and referendums on issues like marijuana legalisation and voting procedures will appear on ballots in various states. These decisions reflect the evolving priorities of a diverse electorate, each choice carrying potential consequences for decades to come.

The Global Stakes

The impact of this election will not be confined to America’s borders. In Europe, where the US has been a steadfast ally, particularly in supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, the prospect of a second Trump term has stirred unease. Trump’s “America First” stance and criticisms of NATO have left European leaders wary of a potential shift in US foreign policy should he return to office. These concerns are shared by other allies, especially as Washington’s stance toward global conflicts may change depending on the election’s outcome.

The stakes are equally high for America’s relationship with China, which has emerged as a central focus in both campaigns. Harris and Trump agree on the need to address Beijing’s rise, but their approaches diverge. Harris has advocated for a cooperative stance that leverages alliances, while Trump’s rhetoric centers on economic confrontation and re-establishing American dominance. Either approach will have significant consequences, not only for US-China relations but for the entire global order.

As Americans head to the polls, the world watches closely, aware that the outcome will impact global affairs. With the unprecedentedly close margins, the entire process will be scrutinised, and the result, whether it arrives in hours or days, will shape the direction of U.S. policy and its role on the world stage.