Initial results in the tightly contested 2024 U.S. presidential race have placed Kamala Harris and Donald Trump neck and neck. Early voting at Dixville Notch, New Hampshire—a village with a longstanding tradition of casting the first ballots—ended with each candidate receiving three votes. This early tie underscores the razor-thin margins likely to define the nationwide election.

Dixville Notch, a community of just six eligible voters, has consistently held midnight voting since 1960. As the clock struck midnight, residents cast their votes to the sounds of an accordion rendition of the national anthem, with the final count completed just 15 minutes later.

Nationwide polling locations will close between 6 p.m. and 1 a.m. EST (12 midnight to 7 a.m. Wednesday in Nigeria). Results will begin to flow as polls shut down across various states.

With voting underway, both Harris and Trump made last-minute pleas to voters. Harris encouraged Americans on X, urging, “This is the moment to make your voices heard.” President Joe Biden also rallied behind Harris, asking voters to “make history” by electing her as his successor. Former President Barack Obama echoed this, emphasizing that the election could be won by “a handful of votes” and motivating citizens to participate.

Obama has campaigned actively for Harris alongside his wife, Michelle, and former President Bill Clinton. Trump, following a final rally in Michigan early Tuesday, energized his supporters on X with the message, “It’s time to get out and vote—so together, we can make America great again!!!”

Live updates have highlighted key moments in the election. CNN reported a significant gender divide in Michigan, while Al Jazeera noted a tie between Harris and Trump in polls. USA Today captured Trump’s repeated claims of potential fraud and Harris’s focus on swing states as critical to the outcome.

A Historic Election No Matter Who Wins

Should Harris win, she would become the first woman and the first Black and South Asian American to assume the presidency in over 200 years. Although her campaign has been historic, Harris has positioned herself as a leader for “all Americans,” avoiding identity-focused messaging.

Trump’s victory would also be unique; he would become the first president convicted of a felony to win office and the first to serve non-consecutive terms in over a century. He was convicted on 34 counts related to a New York hush-money case earlier this year.

Confidence from Both Sides

Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, expressed confidence, stating, “We do expect to win,” though he acknowledged that disappointment is inevitable for some. Vance also called for Americans to maintain friendships across political divides, underscoring that personal connections are more important than political differences.

Sources close to Trump remain optimistic. A senior adviser shared that if predicted voter turnout materializes, “Trump ought to win.” Advisers feel that his performance has been stronger this election season.

Pennsylvania’s Pivotal Role

Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes are anticipated to be decisive. According to Dr. Thomas Gift, director of the U.S. Politics Center at University College London, winning Pennsylvania would significantly increase either candidate’s odds of victory. Both campaigns have heavily invested in the state, with a flood of ads and campaign events leading up to election day.

Calls to Abolish the Electoral College

At a roundtable in Abuja, Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins, a former League of Women Voters president, voiced support for abolishing the Electoral College. She argued that it no longer serves its original purpose of protecting smaller states and instead contradicts popular vote outcomes, as seen in past elections. Constitutional amendments would be required to make this change.

Implications for Nigeria

Former Nigerian diplomat Joe Keshi suggested that Nigeria’s relationship with the U.S. would remain largely unaffected regardless of the U.S. election outcome. He emphasized that U.S. policy prioritizes American interests, with Nigeria often needing to lobby the U.S. for assistance. Despite expressing a personal preference for Harris, Keshi advised Nigeria to focus on self-reliance, particularly in technology and development, pointing to China and India as models of proactive advancement.

The 2024 U.S. presidential race represents a pivotal moment, with voters eagerly awaiting a historic decision that will influence not only the country’s future but also its role on the global stage