Voting begins in the U.S. presidential election
In the U.S., the presidential election has begun, and citizens will choose their next president. This process is closely monitored by the whole world, since the election results can change the balance of power in the international arena, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
Polling stations across the country open at different times on November 5. Voting begins earliest in Vermont, where polling stations open at 05:00 local time and close at 19:00. Following Vermont, polling stations in Connecticut, Kentucky, Maine, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia will open at 06:00.
In North Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia, polling stations will open at 6:30. In 37 states and Columbia district, the elections will begin from 7:00 to 10:00 in the morning. Later, the voting process will begin in Washington and Alaska at 11:00, and in Hawaii at 12:00.
American voters will choose among six presidential candidates: Kamala Harris (Vice President, Democratic Party), Donald Trump (former president, Republican Party), Cornel West (philosopher, writer, theologian, and Christian socialist, Independent candidate), Jill Stein (physician, Green Party), Chase Oliver (activist, Libertarian Party), and Claudia de la Cruz (activist, pastor, and member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation).
All US citizens had to register to participate in the vote until October 15. For registration as a voter, you need to be a US citizen and a permanent resident of the state in which you vote. The voter must be at least 18 years, mentally capable and not have registration for voting in another state.
The ballots were sent by mail from October 16 to 22 of this year and should be sent back by mail with a real mail stamp no later than 20:00 on November 5 or lowered into the election urn on election day.
There are hundreds of international observers in the country who monitor the voting process.
U.S. law prohibits signing someone else’s return envelope for a ballot, voting more than once in the same election, forging ballots, voting without legal eligibility, coercing or pressuring voters, and buying or selling others' ballots. It is also prohibited to obstruct entry to a building with voting booths, alter someone else’s ballots, or attempt to collect completed ballots within 30 meters of an official drop-off location. Creating unauthorized ballot drop-off sites is also a violation. Breaking these laws results in civil or criminal penalties.
It is expected that the first unofficial results will be announced shortly after the closing of polling stations, and the final official results will be published until December 12 this year. However, the deadlines for the announcement of the preliminary results of the previous presidential elections were different.
After the election on November 3, 2020, Joe Biden was declared the winner only on November 7, when the results in Pennsylvania became more obvious. In 2016, Donald Trump was declared the winner at 03:00 the day after the election. In 2012, Barack Obama learned about his victory before midnight on the voting day.
However, the 2000 elections between George Bush Jr. and Albert Gorus were an exception: the vote took place on November 7, and the outcome of the race became known only on December 12.
According to a survey conducted by NPR, PBS News and Marist College, Harris received support for 51% of respondents, Trump - 47%. Another 2% wished to vote for other candidates. Nevertheless, 49% of respondents are confident that Trump will win the election, while 46% expect Harris to win.
