Harris vs. Trump: America’s Choice in a Closely Contested Election

American voters are heading to the polls on Tuesday in a turbulent election that will either see Kamala Harris become the first female president in U.S. history or grant Donald Trump a historic comeback that would send ripples worldwide.

As voting begins across the nation, the race between Democratic Vice President Harris, 60, and former Republican President Trump, 78, is extremely close and unpredictable, making it one of the tightest White House races in recent memory. Both candidates spent the final day of their campaigns rallying supporters and appealing to undecided voters in critical swing states.

Despite a campaign filled with dramatic twists—Harris’s entry following President Joe Biden's withdrawal in July, and Trump surviving two assassination attempts and a criminal conviction—the polls remain in a dead heat. Voting stations opened at 6:00 am (1100 GMT) on the East Coast, and tens of millions are expected to vote, alongside the over 82 million who have already cast early ballots in recent weeks.

If results are as close as projected, the outcome may not be confirmed for days, prolonging tension in a deeply polarized nation. Concerns have also arisen over potential unrest if Trump contests the result as he did in 2020, prompting security measures around the White House and precautionary board-ups in Washington, D.C. Global attention is focused on the election, given its potential impact on international conflicts, including the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, and climate change efforts—issues Trump has previously dismissed.

"Every Vote Counts"

Harris and Trump are effectively tied in key swing states such as Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. On the night before Election Day, Harris rallied supporters in Pennsylvania, emphasizing, “momentum is on our side,” but warning, “this could be one of the closest races in history—every single vote matters.” She was joined by high-profile supporters like Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey.

Trump, who would be the first convicted felon and oldest person elected president, presented himself as the solution to a country he claims is in decline. “With your vote tomorrow, we can solve every problem our country faces,” he told supporters in Michigan, following stops in North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

Harris, meanwhile, underscored her stance against Trump-endorsed abortion restrictions—a crucial issue for women voters—while maintaining a positive tone and sidestepping direct mentions of Trump after weeks of warning against his anti-democratic rhetoric and threats against political opponents.

Making History

A Trump victory would mark a historic comeback, securing a non-consecutive second term—a feat last achieved by Grover Cleveland in 1893. His return could heighten global instability, with U.S. allies concerned over his isolationist policies and trading partners bracing for potential import tariffs.

Alternatively, a Harris win would make history with her as the first Black and South Asian woman president, signaling an end to nearly a decade of Trump’s dominance in American politics. Trump has indicated he would not run again in 2028.

However, Trump continues to deny losing fairly in 2020, and the memory of the January 6 Capitol attack by his supporters lingers. As Election Day approached, Trump raised unfounded allegations of election fraud, asserting he “never should have left” the White House.