 "A person votes during early voting in the US presidential election at a polling station in Detroit, Michigan, November 3, 2024. Reuters")
With the United States presidential election just a day away, opinion polls indicate a close race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump.
Over 75 million Americans have already cast early ballots - nearly half the total turnout from 2020 - as the countdown to Election Day reaches its climax on Tuesday.
A Trump victory would set multiple historical precedents: he would be the first president-elect with a felony conviction - due to his hush-money case in New York, and only the second to win non-consecutive terms, following Grover Cleveland.
Harris, meanwhile, aims to break barriers as the first woman, first Black woman, and first person of South Asian descent to become US president. Four years ago, she made history in these fields by serving as President Joe Biden’s vice president.
This election cycle has brought intense competition, with more battleground states locked in tight races than observed in recent years.
Polling stations will open on November 5 in several US states, with times ranging from 7 am to 9 am (local time), which would be around 4:30 pm to 6:30 am on November 6 in Indian Standard Time.
Elections for the Senate and House of Representatives are also drawing attention, with speculation that Republicans could gain control of both chambers.
The 2024 presidential cycle has been a rollercoaster ride - from assassination attempts and the incumbent’s withdrawal to celebrity endorsements and waves of misinformation. Here’s a look at what a “normal” US election means and key dates following Election Day 2024: