Washington: Polling stations on the US east coast opened early on Tuesday, giving Americans a final opportunity to weigh in on a bitterly fought and closely contested election. Voters will deliver their verdict in a race that could make Kamala Harris the first female president in US history or mark a dramatic comeback for Donald Trump, potentially sending ripples across the globe.

High Turnout Amid Unprecedented Election Climate

The nation heads to the polls in a sharply divided state, with over 82 million early votes already cast, reflecting widespread engagement and intensity in this historic election. Harris, 60, and Trump, 78, are deadlocked in opinion polls, with each candidate urgently rallying support in critical swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Arizona. On the campaign's final day, Harris took to Pennsylvania, buoyed by enthusiastic crowds, and declared, "momentum is on our side," while Trump, addressing supporters in Michigan, promised, "we can fix every single problem our country faces."

A Campaign Full of Unprecedented Twists

This election has been marked by unexpected twists, from Harris’s entry following President Biden's July withdrawal to Trump’s survival of two assassination attempts and a criminal conviction. Despite these events, the race remains tight, with polls suggesting a result that could remain undecided for days, intensifying nationwide tension. Concerns are high over potential unrest, particularly if Trump contests the outcome as he did in 2020. The prospect of post-election turmoil has led to heightened security in Washington, where businesses have boarded up windows and barriers surround the White House.

International Stakes and Domestic Divisions

Global attention is fixed on the election's outcome, which will impact issues from Middle Eastern conflicts and Ukraine’s defence to climate change, a point Trump has controversially dismissed as a "hoax." Domestically, Harris has leaned into her opposition to Trump’s support for abortion bans, appealing to women voters, while Trump has emphasized an America-first approach, calling for strong immigration controls and import tariffs. Should he win, Trump would become the first convicted felon to take office and the oldest president in US history. A Harris victory would represent a landmark achievement as she would become the nation’s first Black and South Asian woman president, signalling an end to Trump’s long-running political influence.