The curtains have officially closed on the 2024 election polls, leaving the nation abuzz with anticipation as they await the results of a monumental presidential showdown: Will it be the controversial Donald Trump or the determined Kamala Harris triumphing in this historic contest?
Key insights into the election:
Kamala Harris has claimed victory in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, snagging a vital electoral vote in the process. Nebraska’s largest city, Omaha, and its suburbs have aligned with Harris, following a trend seen with Barack Obama in 2008 and Joe Biden in 2020, birthing the moniker, “the blue dot of Nebraska.” This district stands out in the electoral landscape due to its separation from the broader state and is among the few in the country that awards Electoral College votes based on popular votes within each congressional district. The Associated Press announced this victory at 12:08 a.m. EST.
The buzz at Kamala Harris’ election watch party at Howard University entailed a blend of tense anticipation and high energy. As the clock nudged closer to midnight, CNN broadcasts were replaced by beats intended to keep spirits high amid a tense atmosphere. Yet, as results rolled in from pivotal battlegrounds, a somber air occasionally settled over the crowd. Some attendees chose to head out, but many stayed to ride the wave of optimism, waiting to see if Harris would make a special appearance at her alma mater.
Further success for Harris came with the announcement from the Associated Press at the stroke of midnight EST, declaring her the victor in Hawaii. This state bestowed upon her their four electoral votes, continuing a streak that has seen the state support Democratic candidates for ten consecutive presidential elections. The last time Hawaii favored a Republican was back in Reagan’s era, specifically in 1984. The state remains a Democratic stronghold, boasting full control of statewide offices and the entirety of its House representation. Over the years, the Democrats have maintained strong dominance in both the state House and Senate as well.
An unexpected twist came with reports of bomb threat emails surfacing across several states. These emails, originating from a Russian email domain, led many to question the identities of the perpetrators. Jen Easterly, the head honcho of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, clarified that although the domain seemed Russian, they couldn’t conclusively pin the responsibility on Russian actors. On a more reassuring note, the FBI and other officials stated that these threats were deemed non-credible and didn’t interfere with the voters performing their civic duty.
For those wanting to follow every twist and turn of this electric election night, live updates can be accessed HERE.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
