Washington, D.C. – As the countdown to the U.S. presidential elections continues, a significant milestone has been reached with approximately 21 million Americans already casting their votes. This comes just two weeks ahead of the highly anticipated election day on November 5, where Vice President Kamala Harris of the Democratic Party is set to face off against former President Donald Trump from the Republican Party. Data from the Election Lab at the University of Florida reveals that early voting has seen robust participation, with around 7.8 million ballots cast in-person and over 13.3 million votes submitted via mail.
This early voting trend highlights a growing engagement among voters, particularly in key battleground states that could ultimately decide the election outcome. Political analysts are closely monitoring seven critical battleground states: Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia. Experts agree that the results from these states will be crucial in determining who will occupy the White House for the next four years. Unlike India's general elections, where campaigning ceases 36 hours before voting begins, the U.S. allows campaigning and voting to occur simultaneously for several weeks.
This unique aspect of the American electoral process has facilitated heightened engagement among voters, reflected in the long lines seen at polling places across the nation. Despite early voting typically showing lower participation rates among Asian Americans just 1.7% according to the Election Lab Indian Americans have been notably active. For instance, 88-year-old Chanchal Jhingan and her daughter, Vandana Jhingan, were among those who stood in line to vote in a suburb of Chicago. Vandana expressed her support for a candidate she believes can “Make America Great Again.”
In Texas, Jitendra R. Diganvkar also encountered long lines when he went to cast his ballot, urging fellow citizens to re-register and participate in the democratic process. “This is full parking. People are coming every minute,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of voting. Interestingly, The New York Times reports that early voting among Republicans has surpassed expectations, indicating a potentially tight race as Election Day approaches. As millions of Americans continue to exercise their right to vote, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the election season.
