US Election 2024 updates: Over 80 million voters, mostly Republicans, cast ballot early
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump wrapped up this year’s presidential race with a heated battle for Pennsylvania on Monday, making their final appeals to voters in a state that could be pivotal in deciding the next president.
Harris ended her day in Philadelphia at the iconic steps of the art museum, made famous by the movie Rocky, where she declared, “the momentum is on our side.” Earlier, she had visited Allentown, Scranton, and Pittsburgh, and made a stop in Reading to connect with voters at a Puerto Rican restaurant, even canvassing door-to-door alongside campaign volunteers.
“It’s the day before the election, and I just wanted to come by and say I hope to earn your vote,” Harris told one woman, who had already cast her ballot for the Democratic ticket.
Meanwhile, Trump began his day in North Carolina and wrapped it up in Michigan, but made stops in Reading and Pittsburgh along the way. The former president delivered fiery speeches at each location, mixing unfounded claims about voter fraud with warnings about migrant crime and promises to “revitalize” America.
“With your vote tomorrow, we can fix every single problem our country faces and lead America—and the whole world—to new heights of glory,” Trump told the crowd.
While Harris focused on optimism for the future and avoided mentioning Trump by name, the Republican nominee did not hold back, repeatedly attacking his opponent. His running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, echoed the sentiment during his own rally in Atlanta, declaring, “We are going to take out the trash in Washington, D.C., and the trash’s name is Kamala Harris.”
More than 82 million Americans have already cast their votes as of Sunday, according to the University of Florida’s Election Lab, which tracks early and mail-in voting across the US.