This Tuesday, November 5, American voters go massively to the polls to elect their next president.
Face to face, two diametrically opposed personalities: Democratic vice-president Kamala Harris, 60, who could become the first woman to lead the United States, and Donald Trump, 78, former republican president, who tried a spectacular political return after leaving the White House in 2021.
A campaign marked by tensions
The campaign was enamelled with twists and turns, with two assassination attempts at Donald Trump and controversies in a deeply divided country. According to the latest polls, the competition remains extremely tight, especially in seven key states – Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgie, Nevada and Caroline du Nord – who could determine the outcome of the election by attributing the great voters necessary for victory.
Unprecedented mobilization
Already more than 75 million voters have voted early or by correspondence, with high participation rates in several decisive states. In North Carolina, nearly 4.5 million bulletins were deposited before election day, and Georgia displays four million anticipated votes. Political scientist Michael McDonald estimates that participation could reach 60 %, reflecting the crucial issue of this election for many Americans.
Control of the Congress at stake
In parallel with the presidential election, the Americans also vote for the renewal of the congress. The Republicans hope to keep their majority in the Senate, while the Democrats could overthrow the close republican majority in the House of Representatives, thus influencing future legislative orientations.
A reinforced security system
For this election, the authorities deployed exceptional security measures due to the tensions observed during the campaign. National Guard units are mobilized in several states, and the FBI has established a command post in Washington to monitor any threats in real time. In anticipation of possible overflows, some businesses around the White House even secured their windows.
Results that could delay
The first polling stations will close in the evening, but as in 2020, the Americans may have to wait before knowing the name of their next president. In the event of a defeat, Donald Trump has already reported his intention to challenge the results. For his part, Kamala Harris ensures the reliability of electoral systems and calls on voters to mobilize for this historic election.
A ballot in the global consequences
In a climate of strong polarization, this election could influence not only the future of the United States but also that of many international relations. Whatever the result, the impact of this ballot promises to be decisive for the future orientation of the country and for its place on the world scene.
