US Presidential Election 2024: The Final Countdown
The Stage is Set
On Tuesday, voters across the country will head to their local polling booths, putting the ultimate end to a campaign that felt more like a drama series than a political process. At the center of the action: Republican President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Joe Biden, each armed with plenty of promises and a ton of press statements.
Why It Matters
- The election curves around a pandemic that toppled 231,000 lives and left millions jobless.
- Massive protests called for justice for Black Americans, shaking the social fabric of the nation.
- Biden framed the race as a “vote of confidence” on Trump’s handling of the virus, pledging to tackle the health crisis, rescue the economy, and mend political rifts.
Trump’s Victory Blueprint
Even though Biden holds a solid lead in national polls, Trump is clutching a few key swing states. A wobbly 270 votes across the Electoral College could tip the scales—just like his win over Hillary Clinton in 2016, when he snagged the presidency while losing the popular vote by roughly three million.
Uncertainty, Anxiety, & Possible Protests
Because the election could see legal hurdles and uncertain outcomes, many cities are hardening their defenses. White House surrounding streets and downtown New York are already mall‑shutting up “in case” of protests.
Rodeo Drive Goes Dark
The famed Beverly Hills shopping avenue is shutting its shutters on Tuesday, according to local police—proof that even luxury salons aren’t immune to the political storm.
Early Voters Lead the Pack
By Monday night, 99 million people had already cast their ballots either in front of a booth or by mail. That’s the equivalent of 72% of the 2016 turnout – roughly 40% of all U.S. citizens legally eligible to vote.
Trump’s Claims, and the Nation’s Response
- Trump has repeatedly cast doubt on the integrity of mail‑in results, claiming widespread fraud without evidence.
- He refuses to pledge a peaceful hand‑over if the polls don’t favor him.
- He insists that votes should only be counted on election night, whereas states often take weeks to tally.
Congressional & Presidential Stakes
Tuesday’s ballots will decide two big things: who’ll chair Congress for the next two years and whether there’ll be another four years of Trump in the White House. Democrats aim to regain their Senate majority while maintaining firm control over the House.
The First Ballots Roll In Early
Polling stations in eastern states will open at 6 a.m. EST (11:00 GMT). Whoever wins today will shape the political landscape for the coming years—so buckle up, nation.
Coronavirus election
Trump Gears Up for a 4‑Year Run, Biden Eyes a Big Win
Trump (74) is back in the ring, hoping to snag another four years at the top. After a roller‑coaster first term—think pandemic chaos, a battered economy, impeachment drama, Russian meddling, racial tensions, and immigration squabbles—he’s buzzing with new rallies.
Campaign Rally Hype
On Monday, the former president hit the road for five stands in four states, then flew back to Washington at 2:35 a.m. Eastern time Tuesday. He’s slated to spend most of the day at the White House, where an election‑night bash for 400 guests is in the works—and everyone will get a COVID test on the side.
Biden’s Mean Some Decades
Age 77, Biden is on the hunt for a victory after a five‑decade political saga that includes a stint as Vice President under Obama. He’s tried a couple of times for the Democratic nomination (1988, 2008), but this time he’s swinging for the flag.
Last‑Minute Moves
Biden’s full day of campaigning in Ohio and Pennsylvania is winding down, with Election Day slated for Scranton (his hometown) and Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Trump’s sliding in the polls, partly because folks aren’t glad he brushed the pandemic off like it was a minor drizzle.
Polls & The Great Battle
Both candidates have stiff competition in a handful of battlegrounds—most of which Trump nailed in 2016. Esteemed Tornadoes: Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin (the Democratic strongholds that Trump edged last time).
- If Biden keeps the states that Clinton canvassed in 2016 plus flips W. M. & P.D., he could nab the presidency.
- Florida, with its hefty 29 electoral votes, is a must‑win for Trump. A loss there would make his route to victory grim.
- Reuters/Ipsos is showing a 50%‑46% lead for Biden in Florida—a move from a statistical tie the week before.
- Florida’s mail‑in ballots can trickle in by Tuesday night, so results might hit the news faster.
- Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin will let the mail ballots take a longer stretch before the count starts.
At the end of the day—no matter who wins—this election promises to be a high‑stakes, high‑energy showdown.
