Election Day has arrived and voters in the U.S. are heading to their polling precincts, with varying opening times from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. local time, depending on state and locality. USA TODAY provides a voter guide and live election results, including the closely watched Presidential race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
Republican Poll Watchers Gain Entry in Pennsylvania After Legal Action
On Election Day, Republican National Committee co-Chair Lara Trump reported that GOP poll watchers were briefly barred but later admitted to polling sites in eight Pennsylvania counties. RNC attorneys acted swiftly to resolve the issue, ensuring poll watchers could monitor the proceedings. The Trump campaign, having rallied in Pennsylvania, remains hopeful for a win in the critical state.
Election Day Update: High Turnout Continues with Over 83 Million Early Votes
On November 5, 2024, Election Day in the U.S. sees high turnout with over 83 million early votes cast, 45 million in-person and 38 million by mail. Long queues form in key swing states like Georgia, where Fulton County reported a robust early morning turnout despite bomb threats at polling sites. The race between Harris and Trump is closer than in 2020, with a record-breaking number of early voters in swing states, including over 4.4 million in North Carolina. Security across polling stations remains tight.
Celebrity Endorsements Pour in for U.S. Presidential Candidates
It's Election Day in America. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump await the nation's decision. Last-minute celebrity endorsements include Harrison Ford backing Harris and Joe Rogan endorsing Trump. Ford stressed voting for progress, while Rogan agreed with Elon Musk's support for Trump. Megyn Kelly and Pastor William Dwight McKissic Sr. also publicly supported Trump and Harris, respectively, citing protection and character as deciding factors.
Illinois Man Arrested for Attacking Election Judge
A 24-year-old man, Daniel Schmidt from Illinois, was arrested after assaulting an election judge at the Orland Park Township Office. The incident occurred on Sunday around 11 a.m. when Schmidt, bypassing the voting line, refused to wait his turn and punched the judge in the face. He faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including aggravated battery and resisting arrest.
Abortion Ballot Measures in Focus for U.S. Voters in Key States
Voters in 10 key U.S. states will decide on abortion ballot measures in the 2024 election, potentially impacting Vice President Harris' campaign focus on reproductive rights. Pro-life advocate Shawn Carney doubts abortion will drive turnout as much as other issues like the economy and immigration. Florida's vote on extending the abortion cutoff to 24 weeks is particularly contentious, with policy changes also possible in Arizona, Missouri, and other states. The issue of abortion is ranked third in voter priorities for 2024.
Teen Witness Testifies in Daniel Penny Subway Trial
Ivette Rosario, a 19-year-old witness, testified in the trial of Daniel Penny, a Marine veteran accused of second-degree manslaughter and negligent homicide. Penny allegedly choked Jordan Neely, a homeless man, on a New York subway in May 2023. Rosario described feeling scared by Neely's aggressive behavior and desperate to escape the situation. The trial continued with further testimonies on Nov. 4, 2024.
Rudy Giuliani Ordered to Court in Asset Dispute with Election Workers
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been summoned to court over claims he's hiding assets from election workers Freeman and Moss, owed nearly $150 million in a defamation case. Furniture and memorabilia were removed from Giuliani’s apartment, and luxury watches and a car are unaccounted for. Giuliani must appear in federal court Thursday to address the issue.
High Stakes in Key Battleground States for Harris and Trump Election
In the closely contested U.S. election set for Nov. 3, 2024, Pennsylvania and North Carolina emerge as pivotal states for candidates Harris and Trump. With 19 and 16 electoral votes respectively, their outcome could be decisive. Young voters in Pennsylvania are engaged, believing their vote holds significant weight. Despite Hurricane Helene, early voting turnout in North Carolina exceeds averages. Gender gaps appear, with Trump leading among men and Harris among women. In Michigan, another critical state with 15 electoral votes, both campaigns focus efforts, noting shifts in union workers' allegiance. Overall, the election may hinge on women and young voters' participation.
GOP Officials in Three States Attempt to Block DOJ Election Monitors
Officials in Florida, Texas, and Missouri have challenged the Justice Department's practice of sending observers to polling places, a practice that's been ongoing for nearly 60 years to ensure compliance with federal voting laws. Despite attempts by Missouri and Texas to obtain federal court orders to stop DOJ monitors, judges declined or requested further information. The Texas Attorney General reached an agreement with the DOJ to permit monitors to remain outside polling locations, leading to the withdrawal of Texas' lawsuit.