Today, Americans cast their votes in the 2024 presidential election, with approximately 170 million voters choosing between Republican candidate Donald Trump, 78, and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, 60. The race is tight, with polls showing the candidates neck-and-neck, leading to the possibility of recounts in key battleground states.

The first polling stations to open were in New Hampshire towns Dixville Notch, Hart's Location, and Millsfield, where voting began at midnight on November 5. Most states open their polls around 6 a.m., though some locations, such as Vermont, allow early voting at 5 a.m., while certain Iowa counties will start at noon based on local election authorities' decisions.

Voting on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November has been a tradition in the U.S. for nearly 180 years. This year, 244 million Americans are eligible to vote, with over 74 million casting their ballots early.

Former US President Donald Trump (right) and US Vice President Kamala Harris

The vote count is expected to be faster than in 2020, when mail-in ballots caused delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with a focus on accuracy, results might not be announced until the morning of November 6 or even later, as experts suggest.

The race began in earnest two years ago, with Trump announcing his candidacy in November 2022. President Joe Biden also announced his bid for reelection in April 2023 but later dropped out in July following a challenging debate with Trump, endorsing Vice President Harris as the Democratic nominee.

Trump has faced a challenging campaign season, including being found guilty of 34 counts related to business fraud in May. In July, he survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania, which intensified his campaign rhetoric and boosted his support among staunch Republicans. Another assassination attempt occurred in September at his golf course in Florida, further galvanizing his hardline supporters.

The first Trump-Harris debate took place on September 10, with Harris initially gaining momentum. However, by October, polls showed support for both candidates leveling off, with commentators noting this could be one of the closest elections in U.S. history.