ARLINGTON – With greater than a month to go earlier than the November 5 presidential election, some People are already lining as much as forged their ballots on this tightly contested race.
Early in-person voting kicked off Friday within the US states of Virginia, South Dakota and Minnesota as voters decide between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump.
“You simply really feel that we’re a part of the method,” mentioned 56-year-old Tom Kilkenny, who got here to a polling station in Arlington, Virginia, the place individuals had been lining up earlier than it even opened early within the morning.
His spouse Michelle, 55, mentioned she was completely satisfied to set a superb instance for her pals and neighbors by voting early.
“Whenever you… communicate with them, I can myself say ‘I voted already’ after which begin spreading the phrase,” mentioned Michelle Kilkenny, whose blue T-shirt was lined in Democratic Celebration pins.
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Every of the nation’s 50 states has its personal voting procedures: early voting by mail or in particular person, election day voting or a mix of the three.
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For some People casting their poll as quickly because it turns into attainable is a household custom.
Nick Vucic and his spouse Becca introduced their three daughters to the polling station in Arlington.
“We would like them to be engaged as quickly as attainable,” mentioned Vucic, 38.
Clashing worldviews
In Arlington, simply throughout the Potomac River from the US capital, the town middle was dotted with Harris and Trump indicators and posters. Activists arrange info cubicles, whereas voters, largely Democrats, chatted with each other.
Moreover electing their subsequent president, voters are additionally casting ballots in native and state-wide elections.
Following a rollercoaster election marketing campaign — which noticed President Joe Biden drop out of the race to move the torch to Harris, two obvious makes an attempt on Trump’s life, and explosive televised debates — the stakes couldn’t be larger.
“I can’t imagine we are able to decide Donald Trump, once I give it some thought, I grow to be very apprehensive,” mentioned Ann Spiker, 71. “That’s why we’re out and doing what we are able to.”
However an hour west of Washington within the Virginia metropolis of Fairfax, some voters have a distinct worldview.
Arthur Stewart, a 58-year-old heating and air con technician, mentioned he forged his poll to return Trump to the White Home.
“He already has a document with the economic system when he was right here earlier than, and I imagine he’s going to proceed that,” mentioned Stewart, who has a shaved head and a gentle smile. “One of many different points is the border, safety of the border. He was superb on that.”
Stewart additionally echoed Trump’s unfounded claims that the 2020 election was stolen from the Republican billionaire.
“I simply needed to make it possible for I voted early, in case there was some situation with fraud this time,” he mentioned.
However one factor does appear to unite People on each side of the political divide. Whether or not they assist Harris or Trump, as soon as they’ve forged their ballots, they’re given an “I voted” sticker that they proudly put on on their chests.
Agence France-Presse