Voting begins in U.S. as Trump, Harris compete for presidency amid key state referendums

Election Day in the United States has begun, with Americans casting their votes in a high-stakes race between Republican candidate, Donald Trump, and Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, for the presidency.

The election is marked by key issues and referendums across the nation, including abortion rights and marijuana legalization, as well as races for seats in both chambers of Congress.

Kamala Harris had campaigned heavily on protecting abortion rights and pledged to lower food and housing costs for working families, aiming to attract middle- and working-class voters.

Donald Trump, on the other hand, has focused his campaign on promises to tighten border security and introduce tax cuts valued in the trillions, seeking to appeal to conservative voters and those concerned with economic reform, according to BBC reports.

This election is also a pivotal moment for Congress.

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for election, with Republicans currently holding a narrow majority.

In the Senate, 34 of the 100 seats are being contested, and Democrats hold a slim lead by just one seat.

These congressional races could shift the balance of power, impacting future legislation and political dynamics in Washington.

In addition to choosing the next president, Americans are voting on a range of state-level issues.

Abortion rights are on the ballot in 10 states, including battleground states like Arizona and Nevada.

There are also referendums on how elections should be conducted in some regions, giving voters a say on voting procedures. Four states—Florida, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota—are deciding on whether to legalize recreational or medical marijuana.

Notably, more than 82 million Americans cast their votes before Election Day through early and mail-in voting, underscoring the high level of public engagement in this election cycle.

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