Polling stations will soon be closing in the most consequential US presidential election in decades.
US voters are heading to the polls on Tuesday to decide between presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, with the result hotly anticipated in Europe.
With polls showing the two candidates in a close race, seven swing states are expected to determine the election outcome.
Three states have already been called by the Associated Press: Indiana and Kentucky for Trump and Vermont for Harris. All three were universally considered safe states.
Tens of millions of US citizens had already cast their vote by the start of election day. Their collective decision could transform US relations with Europe, particularly when it comes to the future of aid to Ukraine, NATO, and transatlantic trade.
Some in Europe expect that whereas a Harris administration would essentially be a continuation of the status quo, a second Trump administration would be more protectionist and less invested in allies’ security — what the former president calls his “America First” agenda.
Beyond the White House
The election on Tuesday will also decide who controls both houses of the US Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives.
There are 34 Senate seats up for grabs, with the Democrats hoping to hold onto their slim majority there.
All 435 seats in the Republican-led House of Representatives are up for election as well. Trump’s party only has the slimmest of majorities, and the Democrats have hopes of flipping the chamber their way.
Overseas, there’s been less focus on the House and Senate races with all eyes on Harris and Trump, but the makeup of Congress will have a huge impact on the next presidency no matter which candidate ends up in the Oval Office.
Americans are also voting on statewide ballot initiatives on issues such as abortion access to the legalisation of marijuana.
Find out our latest news and in-depth analysis on US elections on our election hub.
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