Vice President Kamala Harris Making Her Closing Statement in Washington, D.C.
KENT NISHIMURA / COURTESY
By Elaina Batista, Contributor
Today’s the day – Election Day is finally upon us! This election has been historic, with the different strategies used by the presidential candidates to get the American people to cast their vote for them. Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump remain neck and neck according to recent polls. Harris is leading by a small margin with 49 percent and Trump sits at 48 percent in a round of final polls drawn up by New York Times/Siena College National Poll.
Millions of Americans have already voted by early mail-in ballots, and this is crucial to the election. President Joe Biden’s victory in 2020 was largely attributed to mail-in ballots, but it appears that Republicans are eroding the Democratic lead in early voting in 2024, according to CNN.
Portland, Oregon, police responded to a complaint on Monday, Oct. 28, regarding a ballot box fire that burned hundreds of ballots at one location, according to CNN. This was in addition to another fire that was reported earlier this month. CNN reported that according to Portland Police Bureau spokesperson Mike Benner, evidence from the incendiary devices discovered at the vote boxes on Monday indicates that the fires are related to a third incident that was recorded in Vancouver, Washington, on Oct. 8. According to election officials, hundreds of ballots were destroyed in a Vancouver ballot box, but many ballots in Portland remained intact. Investigators have concluded that one individual is responsible for both incidents.
This is not the only issue that states are running into when it comes to mail in ballots. Given that Maricopa County, Arizona, has a two-page ballot, it is estimated to take roughly two weeks to receive the presidential verdict, even though many people anticipate it by the end of the day, according to Arizona Family. According to Arizona Family, Jennifer Liewer, deputy elections director for communications, said, “With races that are going to be tight, it’s going to be difficult, and people may need to have some patience.” Since 2006, it has taken Maricopa County an average of 13 days to finalize votes, according to the Arizona Family article.
With this being said, Harris and Trump made valiant efforts during their individual campaigns to get their political agenda across to the American people. Harris made her closing pitch to her campaign in D.C on Oct. 29. Reported by NPR, Harris delivered an elaborate speech outlining her goals and denouncing her opponent’s behavior and character. According to Harris’ campaign per the Washingtonian, more than 75,000 people attended the event.
As quoted by NPR, Harris said in her concluding statements that she wants to establish a middle ground with those who don’t agree with her. Along with this, she emphasized she will bring her own ideas to the position in an effort to distance herself from Biden’s policies. Additionally, on Oct. 27, Trump held his closing rally in New York at Madison Square Garden. Trump was introduced by his wife Melania Trump, which has not been a normal occurrence within Trump’s 2024 campaign. He then went on to deliver a 78-minute long speech. According to NewsMax, speakers that followed Trump’s speech at the rally included Elon Musk, former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., political commentator Tucker Carlson, House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik of New York, TV personality Dr. Phil McGraw and others.
Today, we the American people could potentially witness history. The next president of the United States of America will shape our country in a pivotal time in history. If you have not yet voted, go out and vote. Each vote is not just a ballot; it’s a powerful expression of hopes, values and a vision for the future. No matter the outcome, your participation is what truly matters—so make your voice heard.