By AP News Photos: AP News\YouTube Screenshots A presidential campaign marked by upheaval and rancor approached its finale on Election Day as Americans decide whether to send Donald Trump back to the White House or elevate Kamala Harris to the Oval Office. More than 81 million people voted early. Read more. |
Why this matters: Voters on Tuesday face a stark choice between two candidates who have offered drastically different temperaments and visions for the world’s largest economy and dominant military power. Harris and Trump entered Election Day focused on the seven battleground states. The closeness of the race and the number of states in play raised the likelihood that once again a victor might not be known on election night. Last time, it took four days to declare a winner. Heading into Election Day, federal, state and local officials expressed confidence in the integrity of the nation’s election systems. They nonetheless were braced to contend with what they say is an unprecedented level of foreign disinformation — particularly from Russia and Iran — as well as the possibility of physical violence or cyberattacks. |