US Election 2020 LIVE Updates: The latest tally of early voting in the U.S. shows that almost 102 million Americans cast their votes before Election Day, an eye-popping total that represents 73 percent of the total turnout of the 2016 presidential election.
The Associated Press tally reveals that the early vote in several states, including hotly-contested Texas and Arizona, has already exceeded the total vote of four years ago.
More than 99.5 million early votes have been cast so far. Additionally, about 28.2 million mail ballots are yet to be returned to polling authorities. As a result, over 100 million votes would have been cast and recorded even before Election Day.
Counting of votes is underway in some states, but the numbers are not disclosed until polling concludes. There are many other states where counting can only begin after polling ends. The election result is typically clear on election night (the following morning in India). But, it is widely expected that counting will take more time this year due to a large number of mail ballots.
A day before the US elections, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said, “I’m running as a proud Democrat, but I will govern as an American president. I will work with Democrats and Republicans, and I’ll work as hard for those who don’t support me as for those who do. Because that’s the job of a president,”
The eve of Election Day 2020 was packed with rallies; US President Donald Trump visited four battlegrounds states Monday — North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin — while his Democratic challenger Joe Biden spent his day in Pennsylvania supported by former president Barack Obama, who made stops in Florida and Ohio.
Besides the Republican Party and the Democratic Party, there are many other political groups in fray. However, they do not enjoy enough popularity.
In his televised statement, Trump said they are going to the Supreme Court to prevent "them finding new ballots at 4'o clock in the morning."
"We will win this and as far as I'm concerned, we already have," he says.
It is pertinent to note that the US Supreme Court has six judges appointed by the Republicans versus three appointed by Democrats
Cars are honking as Joe Biden addresses his supporters. "Your patience is commendable. We knew this would go long, but who knew it would go till tomorrow morning, or even longer. We feel good about where we are, we really do," says Biden. "We are on track to win this election."
According to CNN's John King, North Carolina may be "the most competitive state in American politics". The media house reports that Biden's current gains may be due to early voting, as Trump has appealed to his followers to vote in person. "North Carolina may be the most competitive state in American politics... Maybe Florida is a close second. But when you look at the demographics of North Carolina, it is perhaps the most competitive state in American politics right now,” King says.
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday again sought to sow doubt over the counting of ballots beyond election day, saying the country was "entitled" to know who won on the day of the vote.
"You have to have a date, and the date happens to be November 3," he said during a visit to Republican National Committee offices in Arlington, Virginia.
"And we should be entitled to know who won on November 3." (AFP)
Donald Trump visited his campaign headquarters where he predicted his victory but acknowledged that he could lose. “I think we’re going to have a great night, but it’s politics and it’s elections and you never know,” Trump said.
He said his campaign was doing well in states like Florida, Arizona and Texas. He noted the importance of winning Pennsylvania.
"Winning is easy. Losing is never easy,” he said. “Not for me it's not," he said.
Bernie Sanders in a tweet: This is not just an election between Trump and Biden. This election is about democracy vs. authoritarianism – and democracy must win. The first way to do that is to get out and vote in overwhelming numbers and defeat Trump – the most dangerous president in American history.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she’s “absolutely certain” that Democrats will “solidly hold” onto their House majority.
On an Election Day conference call with reporters, the California Democrat said “this election is about nothing less than taking back the soul of America, whether our nation will follow the voices of fear or whether we will choose hope.” (AP)
Federal authorities are monitoring voting and any threats to the election across the country at an operations center just outside Washington, D.C., run by the cyber-security component of the Department of Homeland Security. Officials there said there were no major problems detected but urged the public to be wary and patient.
U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency director Christopher Krebs said from the center there was "some early indication of system disruption,” but he did not elaborate. He says he has "confidence that the vote is secure, the count is secure and the results will be secure." (AP)