US Elections 2024 Highlights: 'Ran a great campaign, I feel very confident,' says Trump after casting vote in Florida

'If I lose election ... ': What Donald Trump said after casting his vote in Florida

Donald Trump on Tuesday cast his vote in Florida for the US presidential elections. Post the voting process, the presidential candidate addressed the people and said that if he lost the elections, he would be the first one to acknowledge it if it's a "fair election." "If I lose an election, if it's a fair election, I would be the first one to acknowledge it. So far I think it's been fair," he said. "Of course there'll be no violence. My supporters are not violent people. I don't have to tell them that. And I certainly don't want any violence," he said, marking a U-turn from his earlier calls of "bloodbath" if he lost the elections.

"Now if I don't get elected it's going to be a bloodbath for the whole, that's going to be the least of it, it's going to be a bloodbath for the country. That'll be the least of it," he had said earlier this year at a rally in Ohio. Read more

US Elections 2024 Live: Man arrested in upstate New York after threatening to burn down a polling site

The man went to vote in the town of Fowler near the Canadian border at about 6:30 a.m., New York State Police said in a news release.

The man, who had previously been convicted of a felony, was told that he was ineligible to vote because he had not re-registered after being released from prison.

The man became irate and began threatening to return with a gun or to burn the place down, police said.

The man fled but was later picked up by state police and brought to the station for questioning. Charges against him were pending

US Elections 2024 Live: Why Trump, a convicted felon, can vote in this election

Donald Trump can vote despite a string of felony convictions earlier in the year because of the way the laws work in New York and Florida.

Trump’s home state of Florida defers to the jurisdiction where the conviction occurred.

“A felony conviction in another state makes a person ineligible to vote in Florida only if the conviction would make the person ineligible to vote in the state where the person was convicted,” according to Florida's Department of State Division of Elections.

In New York State, a convicted felon is eligible to vote if they are not incarcerated, according to state's Board of Elections.

Therefore, as a registered voter in Florida with felony convictions in New York, Trump's eligibility to vote is determined by New York’s voting rules not Florida's.

Trump has been a Florida resident since 2019 after he changed his primary residence from New York City to Palm Beach, CNN reported citing court documents.

On Election Day, Trump arrived at a polling station in Palm Beach to cast his ballot

US Elections 2024 Live: Trump says paper ballots and 1-day voting should be the norm

“I’m hearing in Pennsylvania they won’t have an answer ‘til two or three days from now,” Trump said. “I think it’s an absolute outrage if that’s the case.”

Trump says he will have “a very special group of people” at Mar-a-Lago and a few thousand people at a nearby convention center to watch the election results.

“It looks like we have a very substantial lead,” he said without elaborating on whether he has a plan on when to declare victory.

US Elections 2024 Live: Trump calls Oprah, who came out in support of his rival Harris, a great divider

"If I lose an election, if it's a fair election, I'm gonna I'd be the first one to acknowledge it. I think Oprah's become a major divider in our country, and I think, frankly, she should be ashamed of herself," said Trump

US Elections 2024 Live: Former President Donald Trump casts vote in Florida

The former president has cast his vote in Florida. Accompanied by his wife, Melania Trump, he arrived at his voting location in Palm Beach. Following the voting process, Trump said “I ran a great campaign. I think it was maybe the best of the three. We did great in the first one. We did much better in the second one but something happened. I would say this is the best campaign we’ve run.”


"We want to bring everybody in, we want to be very inclusive. We have a great country but we have a country that's in trouble ... we have to straighten it up. I feel very confident. It looks like Republicans have shown up in force, so we'll see how it turns out."

US Elections 2024 Live: Two polling locations in Fulton County, Georgia, briefly evacuated due to false bomb threats

Two polling locations in Fulton County, Georgia, were briefly evacuated Tuesday morning after they received false bomb threats, county election officials said.

The threats, which were deemed to be non-credible, targeted five polls in total, Fulton County Director of Registration and Elections Nadine Williams told the media.
Of the threats, two places were evacuated for about 30 minutes, but were up and running again by 10 a.m.

The county is seeking a court order to extend the two polling locations’ hours for 30 minutes past the statewide 7 p.m. deadline to compensate for the disruption, officials said.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger told the media that the threats in Fulton County, which includes Atlanta, originated in Russia but did not elaborate.

“They’re up to mischief, it seems,” he said according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “They don’t want us to have smooth, fair and accurate elections.”

US Elections 2024 Live: Blue-collar Pennsylvania voters could be 'deciding factor' in US election

Protecting and creating new jobs were among the most pressing issues for voters lining up to cast their ballots Tuesday in Erie, a competitive blue-collar Pennsylvania county with a formidable reputation for picking US election winners.

Mason Ken Thompson, 66, voted at Edison Elementary School in Erie, the main city in the Pennsylvania county of the same name whose 270,000 people -- voting in a tightly-contested swing state -- will have an outsized role in whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump wins the White House.

"Manufacturing jobs have gone away from Erie. It's a big problem, and Trump hasn't helped that situation at all," said Thompson, who wore a camouflage baseball cap adorned with the US flag.

"I believe that Kamala is going to help the young people with housing," he added as a DJ played a roster of all-American hits while voters streamed into the school-turned-polling station.

Nearby, the Country Fair gas station handed free donuts to voters.

Erie is one of a handful of counties to have boomeranged between Democrat and Republican, voting for former president Barack Obama twice, then narrowly for Trump, before scraping out a Democratic win for President Joe Biden in 2020.

The path to victory for both former president Trump and Vice President Harris likely runs through Pennsylvania, and largely white- and working-class Erie in the state's northwestern corner encapsulates many of its top issues.

Indian supporters of Trump & Harris pray for their victory in US presidential election

US Elections 2024 Live: US undergoing historic presidential election; Trump and Harris neck and neck

The race between Democratic leader Kamala Harris and her Republican rival Donald Trump for the White House has been truly unprecedented as it saw drama, tragedy, political comebacks, fierce rhetoric and a historically razor-tight contest. As millions of Americans headed towards polling stations on the big Election Day, many political observers billed the unpredictable race for the 47th president of the US as the most consequential one in decades while appearing to project a grim picture for the country's future under a Trump presidency.

In her final days of the campaign, Vice President Harris focused on a message of hope, unity, optimism and women's rights, Trump remained fiercely combative in targeting his Democratic rival and even suggested that he may not accept the election outcome in case of a defeat.

Overall, it has been a roller coaster ride for both 60-year-old Harris and 78-year-old Trump.

Trump received his party's nomination in March and formally at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in July -- in a historic comeback after remaining in the political wilderness for months following several court cases.

In effect, he became the first former president to get the nomination for the top office on the planet after being convicted of a felony.

"Trump has made one of the biggest political comebacks since Richard Nixon's in terms of the political struggles that he has had in the last four years," said Communication Strategist Anang Mittal.

Just days ahead of the RNC, Trump was shot at during a rally in Pennsylvania. He suffered an upper ear injury. Minutes later, a bleeding Trump raised his fist in defiance, images that drew a lot of emotional support from his die-hard supporters

US Elections 2024 Live: Harris or Trump? Long lines of voters in tense US election

Millions of Americans headed to vote Tuesday in a presidential election defined by drama and uncertainty, with Kamala Harris and Donald Trump left to await the outcome of a desperately close race after months of intense campaigning.

The result -- perhaps coming overnight, or not for several days -- will either make Harris the first woman president in the country's history, or hand Trump a comeback that sends shock waves around the world.

The bitter rivals spent their final campaign day trying to get supporters out to the polls and courting any last undecided voters in the swing states expected to decide the outcome.

But Democratic vice president Harris, 60, and Republican former president Trump, 78, were in a dead-heat in opinion polls despite the most volatile White House contest of modern times.

After head-spinning twists -- from Harris's dramatic entrance when President Joe Biden dropped out in July, to Trump riding out two assassination attempts and a criminal conviction -- tens of millions of voters are expected to cast their ballots, on top of the 83 million who have already voted early. (AP)

US Elections 2024 Live: Divining the six divided votes in Dixville Notch

How much can one divine from the six ballots that were split 3-3 between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in Dixville Notch, a small hamlet in New Hampshire that has made a fetish of being first of the blocks on Election Day by voting at midnight?

The Republican spin: Trump got zero votes in 2020, so a 3-3 split is a massive improvement

The Democrat spin: Of the six voters, four are registered Republicans, two are independents, so a 3-3 verdict is good for Kamala. Besides, all six voted for Nikki Haley in the primaries so technically all are Republicans. If Kamala got three crossover votes and this is reflected across the country, Kamala wins!

There was space for some humor too. From one troll: Trump can still win Dixville Notch if Mike Pence has the courage to do the right thing. From another: Donald is about to call Dixville Notch asking them to find one more vote.

In one of the closest and tensest elections in US history, everyone is hedging their bets, pollsters included. Animals too.

In a viral video that MAGA fans jumped on, a baby hippo named Moo Deng at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand, was given the choice between two fruit cakes with the names of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris written on them. After much hesitation, Moo Deng chose the one with Trump's name on it. In a longer version of the video those, a larger hippo chowed down the Harris cake rapidly while Moo Deng was still sniffing at the Trump cake.

US Elections 2024 Live: Wall Street ticks higher on Election Day

US stock indexes are ticking higher Tuesday as voters head to the polls on the last day of the presidential election. The S&P 500 was up 0.4 per cent in early trading, inching closer to its record set last month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 66 points, or 0.2 per cent, as of 9.35 am Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.6 per cent higher.
Excitement about the artificial-intelligence boom helped lift Wall Street, as it has for much of the last year. Software company Palantir Technologies jumped 16.7 per cent after delivering bigger profit and revenue than analysts expected for the latest quarter.

It's an industry known for thinking and talking big, and CEO Alexander Karp said, "We absolutely eviscerated this quarter, driven by unrelenting AI demand that won't slow down."

Boeing was edging up by 0.1 per cent after its factory workers who had been on strike voted to accept the aerospace giant's latest contract offer. The ratification clears the way for Boeing to restart Pacific Northwest assembly lines that the walkout idled for 53 days and resume production of its bestselling airliner.

They helped offset a 5.2 per cent drop for Wynn Resorts after the casino operator's results for the latest quarter fell short of analysts' forecasts.

The main event, though, is the election, even if the result may not be known for days, weeks or months as officials count all the votes. Such uncertainty could upset markets, along with an upcoming meeting by the Federal Reserve on interest rates later this week. The widespread expectation is for it to cut its main interest rate for a second straight time. (AP)

US Elections 2024 Live: Confident whatever verdict, our relationship with US will only grow: Jaishankar on US election

India has seen "steady progress" in its ties with America over the last five presidencies, and its "relationship with the US will only grow" irrespective of the outcome of the US election, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday. In response to a query during a joint press briefing with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong here, Jaishankar also expressed optimism about the future of the Quad, which comprises the US, India, Australia, and Japan.

Wong told reporters that Australia saw the four-nation grouping "retaining its importance regardless of the outcome of the election".

Millions of Americans headed towards polling stations on Tuesday to elect the 47th President of the US, capping one of the most bitter presidential campaigns in the country's history.

Democratic nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris, 60, and Republican leader and former US president Donald Trump, 78, remained neck and neck in polls conducted by various media outlets.

The two ministers were asked if there was a concern about Trump winning the election and if the Quad would be affected under his presidency.

"We have actually seen steady progress in our relationship with the US over the last five presidencies, including an earlier Trump presidency. So, when we look at the American election, we are very confident that whatever the verdict, our relationship with the United States will only grow," Jaishankar told reporters.

"In terms of the Quad, I remind you that it was revived under a Trump presidency in 2017. It was then moved from the level of a permanent secretary to a minister, also during the Trump presidency," he said.

US Elections 2024 Live: Polls open in additional nine states, including swing states of Arizona, Wisconsin

Polling locations for the US presidential elections have now opened in another nine states, including two swing states of Arizona and Wisconsin, CNN reported on Tuesday.
Other states include the states of Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota (municipalities with fewer than 500 registered voters can open polling places as late as 11 am local time), South Dakota (some polls open at 6 am local time depending on the time zone), North Dakota (polls can open between 8 and 11 am local time), Oklahoma, and Texas (polling locations in CT open at 8 am local time and locations in MT open at 9 am local time).

Polling has now opened across 34 states in the US in what is termed to be one of their most consequential elections, which will decide the direction of not just the US but also have an influence on global geopolitics for the next four years.

According to CNN, earlier polls had been opened across 25 states, including Alabama, Delaware, Washington DC, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Vermont and New Hampshire, among which Georgia, Michigan and Pennsylvania are swing states.

The polling hours will vary across the states, but most locations will vote between 6 am and 8 pm on Tuesday (local time). The first polls will close at around 7 pm ET (5:30 am IST) in six states, including Georgia.

Despite the presence of many other parties, the US race is between the Democratic and Republican parties. Vice President Kamala Harris is the candidate of the incumbent Democrats, and she is aiming to create history by becoming the first woman in the US. If elected, she will also be the first Indian-origin President of the United States.

US Elections 2024 Live: Adecco chief hopes for hiring hike after US election

The head of Adecco, the world's biggest temporary staffing agency, on Tuesday was quoted as telling news agency AFP that he hopes for a recovery in hiring in the United States after the presidential election uncertainty lifts.
Voters were deciding Tuesday whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump will take over in the White House following a tension-filled campaign.

"Once the elections are over, and once we know who is going to win, even if it might take a bit of time... things will start to pick up," said Denis Machuel, the chief executive of Zurich-based Adecco.

"Businesses don't like uncertainty: they like to know what's going to happen. And that level of uncertainty hasn't really helped the US market.

"Once this is over, no matter who wins, we're going to have more tailwinds than we had so far."

Voting began Tuesday after an extraordinary US presidential race that will either make Harris the first woman president in the country's history or hand Trump a comeback sure to send shock waves around the world.

In its third quarter results, Adecco reported a five percent decline in adjusted organic growth in the number of working days worldwide -- a measure of the pace of hiring.

The Swiss group said conditions remained difficult in several key markets, although it saw signs of stabilisation.

US Elections 2024 Live: Kamala Harris’ awkward chant at Pennsylvania rally mocked on social media

Vice President Kamala Harris experienced an awkward moment during a rally in Pennsylvania on Monday, as she struggled to engage the crowd with a chant that didn't quite land as intended. Speaking at a Pennsylvania rally, as the crowd was chanting "Kamala!" Harris tried to rally supporters by leading a chant of "Let’s get out the vote!” but her call was met with confusion. Without missing a beat, Harris quickly adapted, repeating her original chant a few more times: “Let’s get out the vote! Let’s get out the vote! Let’s get out the vote!” She then wrapped up with, “Let’s win! All right. Let’s get to work,” trying to regain momentum.

This was not the first time Harris has faced such a moment of discomfort on the campaign trail. Just a week ago, a similar situation unfolded during a rally in Michigan, where her request for the audience to shout their names was met with an awkward silence, forcing her to quickly shift gears and continue with her speech. However, the occasional stumbles have not dampened Harris’s resolve as the race for the White House intensifies. With Election Day rapidly approaching, both Harris and her Republican rival, Donald Trump, are focusing their efforts on Pennsylvania, a state with significant Electoral College weight and a history of close contests. Read more

US Elections 2024 Live: Tennessee's US Sen. Blackburn seeks reelection against Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson

Tennessee voters will decide whether to reelect Republican US Sen. Marsha Blackburn to a second term or choose Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson.
Tennessee hasn't elected a Democrat to a statewide position in nearly two decades, but Johnson is hoping her recent meteoric rise to fame from nearly being expelled by state lawmakers last year will woo enough voters.

Blackburn has run a much more subdued campaign compared to six years ago, when an open seat forced a heated race between the Republican and former Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen. Blackburn has largely avoided Johnson throughout the campaign and declined to participate in any debates with the Democrat.

Johnson gained national attention when she joined fellow Democratic state Reps. Justin Pearson and Justin Jones as they walked to the front of the House floor with a bullhorn while hundreds of gun control advocates flooded the Capitol to show their support for putting more restrictions on firearms. The demonstration took place just days after a school shooting that killed 6 people, including three young children, at a private Christian elementary school in Nashville.

The violation of House protocols sparked outrage among Republican lawmakers, who demanded they be expelled — a punishment that had been used only a handful of times since Reconstruction. (AP)

US Elections 2024 Live: Two Pennsylvania polling station have reportedly experienced delays

Two polling locations in Allegheny County, western Pennsylvania, faced delays on Tuesday morning but are now functioning, according to county spokesperson Abigail Gardner, as reported by CNN.

In Pittsburgh’s Lincoln Place neighborhood, the issue arose when the judge of elections did not arrive at the polling site, Gardner explained. The sheriff is currently retrieving the poll book from the judge to bring it to the polling site at Lincoln Place Presbyterian Church.

Gardner noted that poll workers are stationed at the Lincoln Place location, and it will continue to operate as usual.

US Elections 2024 Live: US September trade deficit widest in over two years

he US trade deficit expanded in September to its widest since early 2022 as imports increased while companies stocked up ahead of possible disruptions like a dockworkers' strike, according to government data released Tuesday.

The world's biggest economy saw its trade gap jump 19.2 percent to $84.4 billion, said the Department of Commerce, with imports growing by 3.0 percent.

The expansion was significantly more than a market consensus of $74.0 billion forecast by Briefing.com.

The rise in imports came ahead of the year-end holiday season, and may be due to companies stocking up in anticipation of a dockworkers' strike.

"We should see some payback over the next couple of months," Ryan Sweet of Oxford Economics was quoted as telling AFP.

"The widening in the trade deficit isn't any cause for concern," he added.

US Elections 2024 Live: Donald Trump's running mate JD Vance casts his ballot in-person, says he 'feels confident' about race

Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance cast his ballot in person for the US Presidential Elections on Tuesday morning (local time), as reported by CNN.

Vance cast his ballot at the St. Anthony of Padua Church in Cincinnati from the state of Ohio.

According to CNN, the senator and running mate of former US President Donald Trump was in good spirits when he arrived to cast his vote with his wife, Usha Vance and their children.

Following casting his vote, Vance told the reporters present there that he was thankful to those who came out to vote and also to witness "one of the great traditions in American democracy."

"I feel good; you never know until you know, but I feel good about this race," Vance said, as reported by CNN.

"I felt good about my own race a couple of years ago when I voted in this exact same spot. Hopefully, it goes as well for President Trump and me as it went for me a couple of years ago in the state of Ohio," he added.

Polling has now opened across 34 states in the US in what is termed to be one of their most consequential elections, which will decide the direction of not just the US but also have an influence on global geopolitics for the next four years.

US Elections 2024 Live: 'I feel good about this race', says JD Vance after casting ballot in Ohio

Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance cast his ballot in person this morning at his polling place in Cincinnati.

The senator arrived at St. Anthony of Padua Church in good spirits, accompanied by his wife, Usha, and their children. After voting for the Trump-Vance ticket, Vance expressed gratitude to supporters, calling it “one of the great traditions in American democracy.”

“I feel good—you never know until you know—but I feel good about this race,” Vance told reporters.

US elections 2024 Live: Trump presidency will be negative for IT based immigration, Harris will largely be status quo (Report)

The outcome of the upcoming US Presidential election holds significant implications for employment-based immigration, particularly concerning H-1B visas, highlighted a report by the JM Financial.

The report noted that if Donald Trump were to regain power, his administration's previous restrictive policies could resurface, potentially leading to increased scrutiny and denial rates for H-1B and L-1 visas.

During his first term, initial denial rates for H-1B visas surged from 4 per cent to 17 per cent, while L-1 visa denials rose from 12 per cent to 28 per cent. This trend could re-emerge, impacting IT services firms that heavily rely on these visas.

The report said "In his first term, Trump, through his executive order E.O.13788 "Buy American and Hire American", increased restrictions on H-1B visas".

US elections 2024 Live: Count me in, count me out: US elections on knife's edge on day of polling

The six registered voters in Dixville Notch -- a small outpost in New Hampshire that attracts national attention by voting first at midnight on Election Day -- split their ballots 3-3 for Donald Trump and Kamala Harris respectively. The equal divide attested to a presidential election that pundits and pollsters have variously characterized as tied, deadlocked, a deadheat, a toss-up, 50:50, a coin toss, and a neck and neck race.

With America's neck on the line, more than 80 million people are expected to stream to polling stations on Tuesday, another 80 million already having cast their ballots in early voting. Both sides strained every nerve and sinew to get out the vote, campaigning past midnight on Election Day -- Trump ending a rally close to 2 a.m on Tuesday in Michigan, and Harris also finishing up late in Pennsylvania. Both looked drained.

Harris wheeled out entertainers Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey in her female-oriented finale, while the MAGA supremo, whose wife Melania and daughter Ivanka were conspicuously absent at his Women for Trump rally, found support from Elon Musk and Joe Rogan, bros who put their money and mouth behind Trump in an election eve podcast endorsing him.

In an election that clearly became genderized with every passing day, the Harris campaign is taking heart from the 53-44 female to male turnout in early voting and a poll in Iowa that indicated older women of 65+ and independent women are backing her heavily. Trump's male stormtroopers are expected to charge to polling stations on Tuesday to stem the tide, in keeping with his exhortation to "swamp the vote" and make his victory "too big to rig."

After the shock setback to Hillary Clinton in 2016 on Election Day, on the eve of which she was assessed with 95 percent chance of winning but lost the race in battleground states even though she won almost 3 million more popular votes, the Harris campaign is taking nothing for granted despite several positive last minute signs, including women breaking "bigly" for her. She could win 10 million more popular votes nationwide, but the number that matters is 270 -- the electoral college votes needed to win the Presidency. Read more

'Amazing how many at Diddy’s party support Kamala': Musk, Rogan on celebrity endorsements

Elon Musk during his appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, expressed his scepticism about Hollywood's political endorsements, specifically targeting Sean "Diddy" Combs and Jennifer Lopez. Musk, who has become increasingly vocal about his support for Donald Trump, questioned the authenticity and motivations behind celebrity endorsements. During the podcast, Rogan pointed out that Diddy’s inner circle has long been supportive of Democratic candidates, including Kamala Harris. Musk responded by questioning the credibility of Jennifer Lopez's endorsement of Harris, noting that Lopez, Diddy's ex-girlfriend, had never spoken out against him despite his controversial behaviour.

"It's like J-Lo was like his ex-girlfriend. And it's like, now deciding she's warning people against Trump. I'm like, wait a second. How many people did she warn against Diddy? Oh, zero. Okay. Maybe we shouldn't trust her opinion," Musk said. "That speech was terrible. If she's going to be warning people, why did she never warn anyone about Diddy?" the Tesla CEO questioned. Read more

US elections 2024 Live: Voters in Maryland queue up to cast their vote for 'a change'

With the polling for US presidential elections 2024 opened for 25 states along eastern and central America on Tuesday, voters from the eastern state of Maryland queued to the polling stations to cast their vote in what is termed to be one of their most consequential elections, which will decide the direction of not just the US but also have an influence on global geopolitics for the next four years.

Voters there term the election as very important and that they are voting for change in the country.

Lisa Rogen, a voter from the state, said, "We just need a change in the country. Period."

Another voter named Rob Amchin said that it was important for people to come out and vote and that there was a lot of anxiety about the outcome of the elections.

"It is so important that everyone comes out to vote today. It is an election like no other. If you have any thoughts of not voting, today is the day to change your mind... I think we've all been having lots of anxiety about the outcome of the election and depending upon how it comes out, we may be struggling to make ends meet; we may be struggling to understand one another's neighbour. There's been a lot of divisive conversations over the last year or more and hopefully, after this, all of that dissent will disappear and we will become neighbours again, without anger and dissent, but all working towards the common goal of a better United States," Rob said.

Another voter named Mark said that it was important to "get out and vote" today, as it is a right that not everyone gets in the world.

US elections 2024 Live: Former Indian envoy to US offers insights on 2024 US Presidential Election

Arun Kumar Singh, former Indian Ambassador to the US, shared his thoughts on the 2024 US presidential election. "Each election is unique, but similarities exist with 2016 and 2020 campaigns, as Trump defined issues, highlighting America's decline."

Speaking to news agency ANI on Tuesday, India envoy said, "Each election, of course, is unique, but I would say that to some extent, there's a similarity to the kind of campaign that was there in 2016 and in 2020, when earlier also President Trump was a candidate, because he defined the issues in a certain way, trying to highlight as if America was not doing well, other countries had exported America, Americans were being exported by immigrants."

"So he was painting all the negative dimensions of what was happening in the US, trying to project that he was not a part of the establishment, although he's a very successful businessman himself, and therefore people should vote for him," he added.

Further, Singh highlighted Kamala Harris's historic candidacy as the first African American and Indian American woman to run for president. However, pre-poll surveys revealed unexpected trends, with many groups that were expected to support her not doing so.

"According to pre-poll surveys, the majority of African American males were not supporting her. Majority of Latino males were not supporting her. And if you look at the Indian American vote, again, according to pre-poll surveys. 80% had voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016, about 70% had voted for Joe Biden in 2020. But this year, the expectation was that only 60% of Indian Americans would vote for her, although she is a person partially of the same ethnic origin." he said.

"So these were some of the trends that were to be, were unexpected, but they were there. And I think this was a reflection of the fact that for the voting public, among the issues that were prominent were the issues related to the economy, inflation, jobs, where there was a sense that they were not doing well," he added.

US elections 2024 Live: How 'racist' Trump is wooing Blacks, Muslims, Latinos and Desis

In an excoriating editorial with a rather harsh tone—so harsh it could be mistaken for an Amazon warehouse—Jeff Bezos, citing a Gallup poll, pointed out that journalists are now less trusted than Congress. Now, that’s rather disturbing, given that a congress is the collective noun for baboons. In his op-ed—how great is America where even the owner must write an op-ed to be heard—he wrote: “We must be accurate, and we must be believed to be accurate. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but we are failing on the second requirement. Most people believe the media is biased.

Anyone who doesn’t see this is paying scant attention to reality, and those who fight reality lose. Reality is an undefeated champion.” Of course, Bezos’ sudden both-sidedness and refusal to endorse a Presidential candidate might be forced by Musk becoming Trump’s BFF, but that’s a tale for another time. Tangents aside, one area where reality completely begged to differ from mainstream media is the trope that Donald Trump is deeply racist.

US elections 2024 Live: Over 80 million early votes cast, key takeaways on trends

As the United States enters election day, November 5, tens of millions of Americans have already cast their ballots, with record early voting numbers in battleground states like Georgia and North Carolina. In Georgia alone—where voters have swung between Republican and Democratic candidates in the last two presidential elections—over 4 million ballots were cast early, leading one top official to suggest that election day itself might see unusually low turnout at the polls. Read more

US elections 2024 Live: Why counting in America takes so long compared to India

Election Day has arrived, and with it, a mix of excitement, tension, and the shared hope for finality. Yet, the high-stakes presidential race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris may not yield an immediate result. Trump, who has effectively been campaigning for nearly a decade, and Harris, a last-minute entrant with only 16 weeks in the race, make this an unprecedented election. Originally planned as a rematch between Trump and President Biden, the contest changed course after a decisive debate, leading to Harris’s nomination. The campaign has also been marked by violence, with two separate assassination attempts on Trump, intensifying the already charged atmosphere. 78 million votes cast With over 78 million votes cast before Election Day, polls show a tight race across seven battleground states, meaning it could take days—or longer—to confirm the winner.


The initial returns may give hints, but certainty is unlikely. Polls will close first in Georgia at 7 p.m. Eastern time, followed shortly by North Carolina at 7:30 p.m. Early votes in both states are expected to be counted quickly, and by midnight, the results could hint at the election’s trajectory. If Harris leads in these early states, she may have multiple paths to the required 270 electoral votes, narrowing Trump’s chances. Conversely, if Trump leads, or if results are close, attention could turn to Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, where slower vote counts could delay the result. In Pennsylvania, polls close at 8 p.m., but counting mail-in ballots there is expected to continue past Election Day. Michigan’s polls close at 9 p.m., though previous elections have shown that it may take time to count ballots, while Wisconsin’s polls also close at 9 p.m. with extended counting expected. Read more

US elections 2024 Live: Sunita Williams to cast her vote from space, here is how

Nasa astronaut Sunita Williams, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), is preparing to vote in the US presidential election while orbiting Earth, approximately 400 km above its surface. Astronauts unable to reach their polling stations can still participate in elections from space. Similar to how people on Earth use absentee ballots, astronauts utilize a system that mirrors this process to cast their vote. After completing a Federal Post Card Application to request an absentee ballot, an astronaut receives an electronic version. This electronic ballot then travels a remarkable distance—1.2 million miles—from the space station to Mission Control at Nasa’s Johnson Space Center in Texas.

The ballot’s journey relies on the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System for secure transmission. From the space station, the encrypted ballot travels to a test facility in New Mexico before reaching Johnson Space Center. Finally, the ballot arrives at its final destination: the astronaut's county clerk, who officially counts the vote. Read more

US Elections 2024 Live: Millions voters head towards polling stations

Millions of Americans headed towards polling stations on Tuesday to elect the 47th President of the United States, capping one of the most bitter presidential campaigns in the country's history. On Monday night, both the candidates, Republican leader Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, spent a considerable amount of time in Pennsylvania, the biggest electoral college prize out of the seven swing states, to sway the remaining undecided voters.

Harris, 60, and Trump, 78, remained neck and neck in polls conducted by various media outlets, with a few projecting a slight edge for the Democratic nominee.

Besides Pennsylvania, the other battleground states that have emerged as crucial are Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina and Wisconsin.

More than 82 million Americans have already cast their votes in early and mail-in voting, according to the University of Florida's Election.

In their final rallies, the two candidates concluded their campaigns with virtually opposing visions of how to take the country forward, with Harris calling for a vision to overcome "hate and divisiveness" and make a "fresh start" and Trump warning of a bleak future under a Democratic regime.

US Elections 2024: Why JD Vance will play an important role in post-Trump MAGA

A few months ago, the teaser for A Complete Unknownwas released on YouTube, a film by director James Mangold that aims to capture Bob Dylan’s rise and his journey from folk hero to the controversy of his electric era. There is a beautiful moment in the trailer where Pete Seeger (played by Ed Norton) explains to an audience: “We met a young man.

He dropped in out of nowhere and played a song. At that moment, we glimpsed the future.” As a tangent, Timothy Chalamet has absolutely nailed the young Dylan look and mannerisms, including the slight air of irritated insouciance with which he delivers lines while singing, like a sixth-form student forced to recite a song to pass their exams.

Like Dylan, Vance embodies a certain Midwestern Americana, something that evokes the Americana of old and also a Hillbilly Hope that promises to make America the Shining City on the Hill once again. Read more

US Elections 2024: Is ChatGPT biased? Users claim AI encourages support for Kamala Harris over Donald Trump

With less than a day until the 2024 Presidential eletions, some users of OpenAI’s ChatGPT have raised concerns about potential bias in the artificial intelligence chatbot. Allegations have surfaced that ChatGPT is subtly promoting support for Vice President Kamala Harris while dismissing requests to advocate for her opponent, former President Donald Trump.

These claims have stirred debate about the neutrality of AI, especially as it becomes an increasingly influential tool in the political sphere. In one instance shared on social media, a user asked ChatGPT to refine a tweet suggesting that voting for Kamala Harris was necessary to "save America." The AI responded by crafting a more polished version of the tweet that echoed similar sentiments, emphasising Harris's legal background and commitment to civil rights.

However, when the user made a similar request to support Trump, ChatGPT declined, apologising and stating that it could not assist with that request. This prompted further reactions from users, with some accusing the chatbot of a political bias favouring the Democratic ticket. In another conversation, when asked directly to "convince me to vote for Donald Trump," ChatGPT once again refused, offering no explanation but maintaining its stance. Read more

US Elections 2024: Long queues as people arrive at North Carolina polling station

A steady line of voters has formed outside the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge in Wilmington, North Carolina, where the polling station opened promptly. The initial crowd of 30 to 40 people has continued to grow, according to a CNN report,

Meanwhile, in Lawrenceville, Georgia, people gathered early Tuesday morning at the Gwinnett County Voter Registrations & Elections office to submit their absentee ballots in person. This location also serves as the check-in spot for poll watchers to obtain their credentials.

US Elections 2024: 'Your vote is your voice, says Kamala Harris as polling opens in multiple states

As the voting begins in multiple US states, President Joe Biden urged voters to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris and stated, "Let's make history by electing Kamala Harris."

Biden shared a post on X and wrote, "Go vote. Let's make history by electing @KamalaHarris"

In her post Kamala Harris said," Election Day is here. Today, we vote because we love our country and we believe in the promise of America. Make your voice heard."

Harris also posted Voter Helpline numbers for her supporters saying, "Your vote is your voice, and your voice is your power. Call the Voter Assistance Hotline at (833) 336-8683 if you need help voting."

In his last post, Donald Trump said, "Tomorrow is our last chance to defeat the corrupt establishment. GET OUT AND VOTE!"

According to CNN, Polls have opened across more than 25 states, including Alabama (some polls observe Eastern Time and will open at 7 a.m. ET, however, most polls operate in Central Time and will open at 8 a.m. ET). Delaware, Washington, DC, Florida (polls in Central Time open at 8 a.m. ET), Georgia, Illinois, Kansas (some polls open at 8 a.m. because of time zones), Maryland, Massachusetts (cities or towns can choose to open as early as 5:45 a.m. ET), Michigan (some polls open at 8 a.m. ET because of time zones), Missouri, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina Tennessee (Polling places with a population of more than 120,000 must open by 7 a.m. ET)

Voters in Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia can now head to polling stations to cast their ballots.

US Elections 2024 Live: Here's a timeline of each candidate from Trump's exit from office to the 2024 US election

Donald Trump Timeline (2021-2024)

• January 20, 2021: Leaves office after Joe Biden's inauguration.

• February 13, 2021: Acquitted in his second impeachment trial related to the January 6 Capitol riot.
• November 15, 2022: Announces his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, aiming for a non-consecutive second term.
  
• March 30, 2023: Indicted on charges related to alleged hush money payments during his 2016 campaign, marking the first criminal indictment of a former U.S. president.
• May 2023: Attends court hearings related to multiple indictments, including the classified documents case in Florida and election interference charges in Georgia.
• July 18, 2023: Trump is charged in a third indictment concerning the January 6 Capitol riot.
• August 24, 2023: The mugshot of Donald Trump is released in connection with his Georgia indictment, becoming a focal point in both his campaign and media coverage.
• September 10, 2024: Participates in the second presidential debate against Kamala Harris.
• September 18, 2024: Faces a sentencing hearing related to his Manhattan case, as legal challenges become a defining part of his campaign narrative.
• November 5, 2024: Competes in the presidential election against Kamala Harris.
• 
  

Kamala Harris Timeline (2021-2024)

• January 20, 2021: Inaugurated as the first female, first Black, and first South Asian Vice President of the United States alongside President Joe Biden.
• June 8, 2021: Leads a diplomatic mission to Guatemala and Mexico to address the root causes of migration, marking a significant policy role.
• May 2022: Takes on a leading role in reproductive rights advocacy following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, increasing her profile in domestic issues.
• April 25, 2023: Biden announces his re-election campaign with Harris as his running mate.
• July 21, 2024: Biden withdraws from the race, endorsing Harris as the Democratic nominee for President.
• August 5, 2024: Officially becomes the Democratic Party’s nominee, marking a historic moment as the first Black woman to lead a major party ticket.
• August 19–22, 2024: Democratic National Convention formally nominates Harris for President with Tim Walz as her Vice President, setting the stage for her general election campaign.
• September 10, 2024: Engages in the second presidential debate with Trump, focusing on issues like reproductive rights, immigration, and economic policy.
• October 2024: Campaigns heavily in swing states, emphasizing Democratic priorities on healthcare, social justice, and climate change.
• November 5, 2024: Faces off against Donald Trump in the presidential election.

US Elections 2024 Live: The team Donald Trump has assembled to 'save' America

In one of the pivotal scenes of The Avengers, Tony Stark – in his bordering-on-annoying insouciant drawl – explains to the God of Mischief, Loki, that he cannot win because of the team assembled to fight him, and if they lost that fight, avenge Earth. Donald Trump, in the final run of his Presidential election, has also assembled a unique team – let’s call them MAGAvengers – whose goal is to ensure that the President returns to the White House after a five-year hiatus, a feat that has been achieved only once in America’s history, in 1897 by Grover Cleveland, whose elevation showed historians the folly of their presidential number system, since Cleveland was both the 24th and the 26th president.

So, in Tony Stark style: let’s do a head count of the team Trump has assembled to avenge America from the dystopian hellhole of war-mongering, bad food, too many government departments, and gender-bending pride parades. Each of them is a different Jungian archetype who appeals to the American psyche on a level that the mainstream media can’t quite comprehend – or at least fails to elucidate to its audience. Read more

US Elections 2024 Live: Judge allows Elon Musk’s $1 million-a-day sweepstakes amid accusations of election interference

A Pennsylvania court has ruled that a high-profile $1 million-a-day sweepstakes, hosted by Elon Musk's America PAC in key swing states, can continue through the presidential election. The decision by Judge Angelo Foglietta on Monday comes after Musk’s lawyers argued that recipients of the sweepstakes are not chosen at random but rather selected based on alignment with the PAC’s values. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, however, had attempted to halt the programme, describing it as a "scam" that breaches state election laws.

The sweepstakes, designed to register over a million voters in battleground states, offers substantial payouts to selected participants who sign a petition supporting the First and Second Amendments. Musk’s lawyer, Chris Gober, defended the programme, explaining that recipients were not randomly picked but pre-screened to ensure they represent the PAC’s ideals. Gober confirmed that two more recipients would be named before Election Day, one in Arizona and another in Michigan. Read more

'He’s not far-right', Elon Musk’s father defends his son over Donald Trump support

Errol Musk, father of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, has weighed in on the political leanings of his son, refuting claims that Elon has veered towards right-wing extremism. In an interview with The Times radio show, the elder Musk, 78, characterised his son as "dead center" on the political spectrum, despite the billionaire’s vocal support for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in the lead-up to the 2024 US election. Errol’s remarks come amidst growing controversy surrounding Elon Musk’s political activities.


While the Tesla mogul has been spotted at rallies for Trump and even organised a $1 million-a-day lottery aimed at boosting voter turnout, his father insists that these actions do not define his overall political stance. “Elon is dead center. He’s not far-right," Errol remarked, adding that much of the political unrest and public protests in recent years, including those in the UK, stemmed from "ordinary people expressing legitimate grievances," not necessarily a far-right agenda. Read more

US Elections 2024 Live: D-Day for Trump-Harris as polling opens in eight states

It's election day in the US as polling opens in eight states on Tuesday with former US President Donald Trump going against Vice President Kamala Harris.

According to CNN, polling locations in eight states are now open, including the states of Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire and Virginia.

In Indiana and Kentucky, polls have already begun with some areas in the central time zone to be opened at 5:30 PM (IST).

In Maine, all poll locations have also opened but a few municipalities with less than 500 people could open at 8:30 PM (IST).

The township of Dixville Notch in the state of New Hampshire voted at midnight (local time), in line with a decades-long tradition. At present, Harris and Trump are tied with three votes each.

The voters in the US are heading to vote in one of their most consequential elections, which will decide the direction of not just the US but also have an influence on global geopolitics for the next four years.

The polling hours will vary across the states, but most locations will vote between 6 am and 8 pm on Tuesday (local time). Though exit polls will start coming once voting starts, the final results will come only after counting is closed in all states.

US Elections 2024 Live: Three US women offer prayers at temple in Kamala Harris’s ancestral village

Three American women were among those who participated in a special puja at a temple in US presidential candidate Kamala Harris's ancestral village, Thulasendrapuram, in Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday. The three women, donning pro-Kamala Harris t-shirts, offered prayers at the Sri Dharma Sastha Temple where special prayers were held for the Democratic candidate’s victory over her Republican opponent, Donald Trump. Sources said the three women travelled from Chennai in a car overnight after learning about the special prayers from media reports. Thulasendrapuram, where Harris’s maternal grandfather and former Indian diplomat P V Gopalan resided, was bustling with activities. DMK councillor Arulmozhi Suthakar and her husband Suthakar organised a special puja -- which included abhishegam and archanai to the deity -- for Harris's victory in the intense electoral contest on Tuesday. Read more

US Election 2024 Quiz: If you get more than 15 out of 20 answers, you are a news buff

At long last, the 2024 US Presidential race is set to end on Nov 5 with the counting of votes. It has been one long, brutal election season, with so many twist and turns that the Oxford Dictionary has banned the use of the word "unprecedented" for it. From assassination attempts to desi rivalries, this particular dance of democracy has seen everything. So, as we wind down the race, here are 20 unique references that became big talking points for the 2024 US Election. Some of them are easy, some are hard, and some are so obscure that even Nate Silver would struggle to figure out the reference. So, buckle up and check out the US Election 2024 Quiz:

If you are having trouble, here are some hints:

• Donald Trump became the first president to get a _________.
• Kamala Harris' running mate Tim Walz used to be an assistant ________ coach.

• JD Vance told podcaster Joe Rogan that he prefers eating ________ to plant-based meat.
• Kamala Harris admitted that she owns a ______ during an interview. ______ owner Jeff Bezos' Washington Post refused to endorse Kamala Harris for POTUS.
• The Democratic Party Symbol is a ___________. Harris claims she worked here. Trump turned up too.
• An AP fact-check about JD Vance’s love for his _______ was rescinded.
• After Harris' nomination, her line, "You think you fell out of a ____” went viral.
• Presidential candidate RFK Jr admitted he had dumped a ______ in New York's Central Park.
• Donald Trump got $119milllion from this rocket man. His name is_________.
• The Republican Party Symbol is a ____________.
• Pets were in the news for two reasons. They were__________ and __________?
• Trump ally Tucker Carlson got a little excited this food item in Russia.
• A rather disturbing detail about Bill Clinton involved a _________.
• Social media fumed after New York authorities euthanised a _________.
• __________ decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has made abortion one of the most important issues in this election.
• Donald Trump has promised to complete the _________ if re-elected.
• This group is likely to vote bigly for Kamala Harris. Trump spent three hours talking on a ___________.

Read more to know the answers

US Elections 2024 Live: Donald Trump posts a video on social media as polling kicks off

Donald Trump or Kamala Harris for US President?: Here is poll guru Nate Silver’s final prediction

Hours before the election day, poll analyst Nate Silver released his last forecast for the 2024 US Presidential race, a projection underscoring the razor-thin margin between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. According to Silver’s final model run, conducted just after midnight, Harris narrowly edges Trump in 40,012 out of 80,000 simulations, equivalent to 50.015% of possible outcomes. Trump, on the other hand, wins in 39,988 simulations, or 49.985%, a difference that highlights just how unpredictable the result could be.

Despite Harris holding a fractional edge, Silver reiterated the unpredictability of the outcome, calling it a "pure toss-up." In this scenario, 39,718 of Trump’s wins were outright victories, while the remaining 270 scenarios ended in a 269-269 Electoral College tie. In those tie cases, the decision would likely fall to the US House of Representatives, which currently leans Republican, hinting that Trump could still prevail in such an event. Read more

US Elections 2024 Live: Awkward bacon talk replaces Gaza discussion in scrapped Kamala Harris interview with Muslim influencer

In a now-scrapped interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, Muslim influencer Kareem Rahma claims he was blocked from discussing the Gaza conflict – a key issue for many Arab-American and Muslim voters – and instead found himself engaged in an awkward conversation about bacon. According to The New York Times, Rahma was barred from raising the Biden administration's stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza, which has led to high Palestinian casualties and remains a contentious point for Muslim communities. Instead, Harris reportedly focused on praising bacon as a "spice," a move that bewildered the Muslim influencer, who abstains from pork for religious reasons. Read more

US Elections 2024 Live: London stocks edge up, US election in focus

Britain's main stock indexes saw a modest uptick on Tuesday, though a sense of caution lingered as investors worldwide focused on the impending results of the US election.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 was up 0.3% to 8,211.69 points by 1105 GMT and was on track to post its longest winning streak in over a month, with three consecutive days of gains.

The mid-cap FTSE 250 edged up 0.1%.

The utilities sector was the biggest boost to the benchmark, gaining 1.4%.

"Markets were supported in the last couple of days by some signs that the polls may be moving in Harris's favour," said Ben Laidler, head of the equity strategy at Bradesco BBI.

"UK and European stocks may react positively to a Harris victory and probably to react negatively to a Trump one,".

Analysts believe Trump's policies on immigration, tax cuts and tariffs would put upward pressure on inflation and drive up bond yields and the dollar, while Harris is seen as the continuity candidate. (Reuters)

US Elections 2024 Live: US voters head to polls as turbulent campaign concludes

The presidential contest between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris hurtled toward an uncertain finish on Tuesday as millions of Americans headed to the polls to choose between two sharply different visions for the country.

A race marked by unprecedented events - two assassination attempts against Trump, President Joe Biden's surprise withdrawal and Harris' rapid rise - remained too close to call, even after billions of dollars in spending and months of frenetic campaigning.

Trump's campaign has suggested he may declare victory on election night even while millions of ballots have yet to be counted, just as he did four years ago. The former president has repeatedly said any defeat could only stem from widespread fraud, echoing his false claims from 2020. The winner may not be known for days if the margins in key states are as slim as expected.

No matter who wins the White House, history will be made.

Harris, 60, the first female vice president, would become the first woman, Black woman and South Asian American to win the presidency. Trump, 78, the only president to be impeached twice and the first former president to be criminally convicted, would also become the first president to win non-consecutive terms in more than a century.

Opinion polls in the campaign's final days have shown the candidates running neck and neck in each of the seven states likely to determine the winner: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Reuters/Ipsos polling shows a significant gender gap, with Harris leading among women by 12 percentage points and Trump winning among men by 7 percentage points.

The contest reflects a deeply polarized nation whose divisions have only grown starker during a fiercely competitive race. Trump has employed increasingly dark and apocalyptic rhetoric on the campaign trail, while Harris has warned that a second Trump term would threaten the very underpinnings of American democracy.

US Elections 2024 Live: Trump or Harris? Polling opens on East coast as US votes to elect next president

Election Day polling stations opened Tuesday on the US east coast, kicking off the final opportunity for Americans to vote in the bitterly fought, tightly contested 2024 presidential race.

The first votes were cast just after midnight in a small township on the New Hampshire-Canada border.

Amid heightened security, the vast majority of polling stations across the country open on Tuesday morning and will remain open until the evening.

Local officials are taking elaborate measures to fortify election-related sites, including plans for snipers on a rooftop to protect a key vote-counting headquarters, panic buttons for election workers, and surveillance drones buzzing overhead.

Tens of millions of voters across the country have already cast their ballots early, either by voting in person at polling stations or by mail. According to data from the University of Florida's Election Lab, as of Monday night, more than 82 million voters had already cast their ballots.

This election is widely regarded as one of the most divisive in American history. Harris and Trump have repeatedly warned against potentially catastrophic consequences inflicted on the country if the other is elected. Voters hold vastly different views on key issues such as the economy, immigration, and abortion rights.

According to an annual survey conducted by the American Psychological Association, 77 per cent of US adults said the future of the nation was a significant source of stress in their lives. Additionally, 74 per cent said they were worried that the election results could lead to violence

On the last day of campaigning, Trump and Harris traveled extensively across crucial battleground states to deliver their final speeches. Trump, aiming to regain the presidency, led rallies in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, while Harris spoke to supporters in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

US Elections 2024 Live: Alaska voters deciding a hard-fought race for the state’s only US House seat, election issues

Alaska voters were deciding Tuesday a hard-fought race for the state's only US House seat that could help decide control of that chamber. They were also choosing whether to repeal the state's system of open primaries and ranked choice general elections just four years after opting to give that system a go.

Democratic US Rep. Mary Peltola sought to fend off GOP efforts to wrest back the seat held for 49 years by Republican Rep. Don Young, who died in 2022. Peltola's main challenger was Republican Nick Begich, who is from a family of prominent Democrats and was among the opponents she defeated in special and regular elections two years ago.

In addition to the repeal initiative, the ballot included a measure that would raise the state's minimum wage and require paid sick leave for many employees, a measure opposed by groups including several chambers of commerce and a seafood processors association.

Fifty of the Legislature's 60 seats were up for election, too, with control of the state House and Senate up for grabs. The closely divided House has struggled to organize following the last three election cycles. In Alaska, lawmakers don't always organize according to party.

In Alaska's marquee House race, Peltola tried to distance herself from presidential politics, declining to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris and dismissing any weight an endorsement from her might carry anyway in a state that last went for a Democratic presidential nominee in 1964. She cast herself as someone willing to work across party lines and played up her role in getting the Biden administration to approve the massive Willow oil project, which enjoys broad political support in Alaska.