Washington, September 21, 2024 – The Europe Today: Americans have started casting their first in-person ballots in the highly anticipated presidential election, with both Democratic and Republican leaders deeming this election the most significant in generations. Early voting began on Friday, six weeks ahead of the November 5 Election Day, with several states offering in-person voting options.
Virginia, Minnesota, and South Dakota were the first states to open their polling stations, with more states set to follow by mid-October. Besides voting for the next president, voters are also participating in local and statewide elections.
Tom Kilkenny, 56, who was among the first in line at a polling station in Arlington, Virginia, expressed his enthusiasm for being part of the electoral process. “You just feel that we’re part of the process,” he said. His wife, Michelle, 55, emphasized the importance of setting an example by voting early. “When you… speak with [friends], I can say, ‘I voted already’ and start spreading the word,” she added.
For some families, early voting is a tradition. Nick Vucic, 38, and his wife Becca brought their three daughters to a polling station in Arlington. “We want them to be engaged as soon as possible,” Vucic explained.
The stakes in this election are high, with Vice President Kamala Harris leading the Democratic ticket and former President Donald Trump running as the Republican nominee. Democrats, including Harris, have described Trump as a threat to democracy, while Trump insists his victory is necessary to save the country from Democratic rule. The bitterly divided campaign has seen significant developments, including Harris replacing President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee and Trump surviving two assassination attempts in recent months.
In Arlington, campaign posters and signs for both candidates decorated the city center, with activists engaging voters and distributing information. Voter Ann Spiker, 71, expressed her concern about a potential Trump victory. “I can’t believe we can pick Donald Trump. When I think about it, I become very worried,” she said.
In contrast, an hour west in Fairfax, Virginia, Arthur Stewart, 58, a heating and air conditioning technician, voted for Trump, citing the former president’s record on the economy. “He already has a record with the economy when he was here before, and I believe he’s going to continue that,” Stewart said.
Despite his previous skepticism of early voting, Trump’s campaign and the Republican National Committee have embraced it this year as a critical method to secure votes ahead of Election Day, given the unpredictable factors like weather that can impact turnout. Democrats, who have effectively utilized early voting in recent elections, continue to lead in this area. In the 2022 midterms, Democrats accounted for 42.5% of early ballots, while Republicans trailed with 33.8%, according to the US Elections Project.
Meanwhile, Georgia’s Republican-leaning electoral board has introduced a controversial new rule requiring counties to hand count all ballots, raising concerns about delays and potential chaos during the November election.
