Outgoing US President Joe Biden cast his ballot for Kamala Harris, as polls showed she is deadlocked with Donald Trump in their battle for the White House.
Mr Biden, 81, who was forced to stand down as Democrat nominee amid concerns over his cognitive performance, queued for half an hour to vote early in New Castle, Delaware.
Asked if it was a bittersweet moment, he said: ‘This is just sweet.’
In their final predictions before voting day next Tuesday (Nov 5), several respected polls show the candidates are tied. The outcome depends on a few key swing states.
President Biden proudly shows off his ‘I voted’ sticker as he talks to the media in Delaware on Monday
Former President Donald Trump speaking at his rally at Madison Square Garden on Sunday
Vice President Kamala Harris walking to board Air Force Two to depart for Michigan on Monday
An average of polls by aggregator 270toWin last night had Ms Harris 0.7 percentage points ahead on 48.1 per cent, compared to Mr Trump’s 47.4 per cent – well within the margin of error.
But the razor-thin race could be good news for former President Trump, 78, as support for his Republican party is often underestimated.
This is partly because Trump voters are less likely to engage with pollsters, and those who do may not reveal their true intentions – a phenomenon like the ‘shy Tory’ factor in Britain.
Election analyst Nate Silver wrote in the liberal New York Times that the election is too close to call but added: ‘My gut says Donald Trump.’
Republicans have lost the popular vote in all but one of the last eight presidential elections, even when they have won the presidency, so Mr Trump is likely to be buoyed that he currently has a 50-50 share.
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump listens during the National Faith Summit at Worship With Wonders Church in Powder Springs on Monday
US President Joe Biden pulls back the black curtain surrounding the ballot box after casting his vote on Monday
President Biden looked like an any ordinary citizen as he stood on line with agents from his Secret Service detail and greeted a woman in a wheelchair on Monday
Vice President Kamala Harris visits IUPAT (International Union of Painters and Allied Trades on Monday
Kamala Harris greets union workers as she tours an International Union of Painters and Allied Trades training facility on Monday
Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta on Monday
CNN’s final poll, which has the candidates on 47 per cent each, found most voters think Mr Trump will not concede if he loses.
It also found that nearly half (49 per cent) believe they are worse off under the Democrats, compared to just 16 per cent who say they are now better off.
Seven out of ten Americans say the country is on the wrong track, and Trump is more trusted on the key issues of immigration, economy and foreign policy.
However, Ms Harris has gained huge support, particularly from women, for her stance on abortion and reproductive rights.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
