High Voter Turnout Marks 2024 Presidential Election as Key Swing States See Long Lines and Strong Early Voting

The 2024 presidential election has seen a significant and historic voter turnout, with over 80 million Americans casting their votes before Election Day, a figure that falls just short of the record set in 2020 during the pandemic.

In key swing states, voter turnout varied widely. In states like Nevada, New York, and Texas, voters moved swiftly through polling sites, while in crucial battleground states such as Michigan and Pennsylvania, some voters faced long waits. Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin are among the seven pivotal states where voter turnout could decide the election’s outcome.

In Georgia, despite a record number of early voters exceeding four million, election officials anticipated a strong turnout on Election Day, potentially surpassing 2020 levels. In Gwinnett County, a Democratic-leaning suburb of Atlanta, steady voter turnout was reported with short lines, while in smaller towns like Waleska, the main challenge was navigating crowded parking lots.

Michigan saw a strong Election Day turnout, particularly in Flint and conservative areas like Hillsdale County. In Detroit, voter numbers were comparable to those in 2020, attributed to successful early voting efforts.

In Nevada, voter turnout on Election Day was modest compared to early voting, with smooth operations reported despite long lines. North Carolina’s Mecklenburg County saw hopeful Democrats encouraged by long lines at several polling places.

Across Wisconsin’s university campuses, student turnout was strong, with expectations to surpass previous records. Despite rain, voters faced long waits at some locations. In Ozaukee County, a Republican stronghold, turnout was described as solid, with early voting indicating strong support for former President Donald Trump.

Black voters have also played a crucial role, with a surge in turnout noted in the final week of the campaign. According to Pew Research, over 34 million Black eligible voters are estimated, up 7% from 2020, and a significant majority are supporting Vice President Kamala Harris.

Despite high participation, no major issues with voting systems have been reported. However, some non-credible bomb threats, traced back to Russian email domains, temporarily disrupted voting in several states.

The outcome of the election remains uncertain, with results from key swing states like Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada, and Pennsylvania expected to be announced over the next few days. The tight race suggests that a quick decision may not be anticipated, similar to the 2020 election when President Joe Biden‘s victory was confirmed four days post-election.