The 2024 United States presidential election has officially begun, with a close race unfolding between former President Donald Trump, representing the Republican Party, and Vice President Kamala Harris, running as the Democratic nominee.
With polls showing a tight contest, this election is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in modern U.S. history, as issues like the economy, healthcare, immigration, national security, and democracy itself weigh heavily on voters’ minds.
New Hampshire Opens the Election
As per tradition, New Hampshire is the first state to cast ballots, starting at midnight in the small community of Dixville. Here, a handful of residents were among the first in the nation to vote. This year, six people participated—four registered Republicans and two undeclared voters. The results reflected the divided sentiment seen nationwide, with three votes going to Donald Trump and three to Kamala Harris.
Though these Dixville votes carry no electoral significance and are mainly symbolic, they set the tone for what analysts expect to be a tight and competitive election. The midnight voting ritual is more symbolic than predictive, but it highlights the anticipated intensity of the election season.
**The Battle for the Swing States**
Both campaigns recognize that winning the White House will likely hinge on critical battleground states. In 2024, these swing states include:
1. Arizona
2. Georgia
3. Michigan
4. Nevada
5. North Carolina
6. Pennsylvania
7. Wisconsin
Known for their unpredictable voting patterns and electoral importance, these states are critical for either candidate to secure victory. Each state has unique voter demographics, economic concerns, and political inclinations that both campaigns are addressing in their messaging and outreach.
A Historic Election
This election is notable not only for the pressing issues at stake but also for the stark ideological divide between the candidates, reflecting deep political polarization across the country. Challenges facing the U.S., from inflation and healthcare to national security and environmental concerns, have raised the stakes to unprecedented levels, with many describing this as one of the most important elections in recent history.
Polls across the country show a close race between Trump and Harris, making it difficult to predict a clear outcome. Political observers agree that voter turnout will be a deciding factor, particularly in the battleground states where both candidates are focusing their final campaign efforts.
As the rest of the country prepares to head to the polls, the early symbolic voting in New Hampshire serves as a reminder of the importance of each ballot cast. The nation and the world watch closely as this highly consequential election unfolds.
While Haitian immigrants are not a significant portion of the more than 50 million immigrants in the United States, the campaign has been marked by rhetoric largely directed at Haitian immigrants, who were subjected to repeated attacks from the Republican candidate and his allies.
After falsely accusing Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, of eating residents’ pets, Donald Trump pledged a massive deportation of Haitian immigrants, regardless of their immigration status. He also targeted other immigrant groups from Latin America, accusing them of “poisoning the blood of America,” a phrase disturbingly reminiscent of language used by Adolf Hitler, whom Trump has reportedly admired, according to statements by his former Chief of Staff, General John Kelly.
This story was originally written in French. It was translated using translation software and edited by our editor, Emmanuel Paul. Quotes and citations in this article may differ slightly from the original French version.
To read the original article in French, please visit our French page below.