Amidst apprehensions of unrest, the U.S. election day kicks off with the initial votes being cast in New Hampshire.

In the quaint locale of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, an election observer assists a resident casting her vote for the U.S. presidential election on the early morning of November 5, 2024. It’s a scene that’s been replayed for years: the tiny northeastern town kicking off Election Day voting at the stroke of midnight, captured in an image by Xinhua photographer Li Rui.

Dixville Notch has cultivated a unique tradition over the years, where its modest group of six registered voters dutifully cast their votes as soon as it’s officially possible, ushering in Election Day for millions.

With beefed-up security from coast to coast due to concerns over unrest, polling stations nationwide opened their doors as dawn broke, ready to receive the swells of voters until the evening closes in. In a democracy as large as the United States, pre-voting has already been robust. By Monday night, over 82 million citizens had already made their voices heard, either at early polling venues or by mailing their ballots, as reported by the Election Lab at the University of Florida.

This election is shaping up to be one of the most contentious that America has seen. Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and her Republican counterpart, Donald Trump, have each painted grim portraits of the national landscape should the other clinch victory. The American populace, meanwhile, remains starkly polarized over contentious topics such as economic policy, immigration control, and abortion rights.

The climate is one of palpable tension. The American Psychological Association’s latest survey reveals a staggering 77 percent of U.S. adults are stressed about where the country is headed, and 74 percent harbor anxieties about potential election-related violence.

Voter Annmarie Pintal, uniquely one of the few in Dixville Notch, shared with Xinhua her earnest hopes, “Whatever the outcome, it’s vital the results are accepted with dignity by all involved.” She added a call for harmony, emphasizing the need for Americans to “unite on shared values and leave behind discord,” echoing sentiments from fellow voter Scott Maxwell. Maxwell remarked, “It’s time to come together; we sorely need common ground, setting aside our differences is crucial.”

Edited by: Ali Musa

alimusa@axadletimes.com

Axadle international–Monitoring