In an election that is too close to predict, the first ballots cast on Election Day in the U.S. reflected the fierce competition ahead. Dixville Notch, a small New Hampshire town with a long-standing tradition of being the first to vote, recorded a split decision—three votes for Donald Trump and three for Kamala Harris. Voting began at midnight with the town’s six residents casting their ballots after a lively accordion rendition of the national anthem. By 12:15 a.m., the votes were tallied, hinting at the nation’s tight race as polls across the U.S. opened.

Electoral College System and Key Swing States

The U.S. election hinges on the Electoral College, where a candidate needs 270 out of 538 votes to win the presidency. States receive electoral votes based on population, with California holding the largest share at 54 votes, followed by Texas with 40 and Florida with 30. In contrast, smaller states like North Dakota, South Dakota, Delaware, and Vermont each have three electoral votes. The critical battleground states—Nevada, Arizona, North Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania—are expected to play a decisive role in this election.

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Historic Stakes as Trump and Harris Vie for Victory

This election marks a historic moment, with Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, aiming to become the first woman and first person of Indian descent to hold the U.S. presidency. Republican candidate Donald Trump, a former president, seeks a comeback after his 2020 defeat, which would make him the first president in over a century to serve two non-consecutive terms. National polling reflects a neck-and-neck race, with ABC News’ FiveThirtyEight showing Harris with a narrow 1-point lead, while other polls depict a nearly tied race.

As both campaigns push to the finish line, the close polling and divided sentiment underscore the high stakes and anticipation surrounding one of the most historic U.S. elections.