Election 2024 live updates: Trump, Harris await Election Day results; new polls

Only one day left until Election Day.

Citizens nationwide will cast their votes tomorrow, deciding between Donald Trump, the former President, and Kamala Harris, the Vice President. The Republican and Democratic candidates have been actively campaigning for months, discussing topics such as healthcare, immigration, and the economy.

On the last full day of campaigning, Trump will hold four rallies in key swing states, starting in North Carolina, moving to Pennsylvania for two events, and ending the day in Michigan.

Harris will wrap up her campaign with rallies in both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, followed by a concert in Allentown.

Stay updated with live coverage from the YSL News Network.

Analyzing the numbers: Trump’s team shows optimism

Election Day is quickly approaching, prompting campaigns to interpret statistics and predict victory.

A memo released by the Trump campaign claims that, in battleground states, the votes from women and urban areas have decreased (which is unfavorable for Democrats) while the rural vote has increased (which is advantageous for Republicans).

The real answers will emerge when votes start being counted on Tuesday night.

On the other hand, Democrats believe that overall numbers favor Harris and suspect that Trump might announce victory prematurely to create chaos when legal disputes arise.

Trump aides expressed confidence, asserting that an early declaration won’t be necessary since they expect an outright win.

“We will announce victory when we’re sure we have the 270 electoral votes needed,” stated Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller during a press gathering at a rally in Raleigh, N.C. “The numbers indicate that President Trump is likely to win this election.”

-David Jackson

Video: RNC official challenges myths surrounding noncitizen voting

According to a Republican National Committee official, immigrants without legal status are probably not registered to vote in Pennsylvania since they lack driver’s licenses or Social Security numbers.

Joe Neild made this assertion during one of the Republican Party’s election integrity calls, which are frequently held in key states to train poll workers and monitors. In the video, an anonymous individual inquired, “How do you identify illegal aliens? How can you recognize them?”

Neild replied, “If they’re illegal, they won’t appear in the pollbook, as they can’t register without a driver’s license number or Social Security number.” He noted that Pennsylvania requires proof of citizenship to obtain a driver’s license.

YSL News has contacted the Republican National Committee for additional comments. We have not yet received a response to a voicemail left for Neild.

— Erin Mansfield

Philadelphia DA issues strong warning against election interference

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner issued a serious warning on Monday aimed at anyone contemplating interference or intimidation towards voters on Election Day, highlighting concerns over “frivolous challenges” made against eligible voters.

“Everyone in this city has been working diligently to ensure that voting is smooth and free of fear,” he stated.

Krasner added: “However, let me be clear, anyone thinking it’s time to act like a militia, be warned. Anyone thinking it’s acceptable to insult, demean, mistreat, or threaten people, take heed. We have the means to deal with such actions—police and jail provisions are in place. If you attempt to coerce the election process or intimidate voters, you should reconsider your actions.”

Krasner explicitly referred to the letter “F,” rather than using explicit language.

Voters experiencing any voting irregularities are encouraged to reach out to the Election Protection hotline, a nonpartisan national service at 866-OUR-VOTE.

Krasner concluded with a warning for those planning to disrupt the election process: “You’ll find out what fun looks like from inside a jail cell.”

–Sam Woodward

Expected timeline for election result announcements

Don’t anticipate finalized results on Election Night.

Historically, electoral workers have never finished counting ballots on Election Day. This year, local and state certification deadlines can vary, lasting anywhere from two days to over a month past November 5.

In recent elections, media outlets have generally proclaimed the presidential winner late on election night or the following morning, though there have been notable exceptions. In 2000, a tightly contested race combined with legal disputes prolonged the announcement, and in 2020, an increase in mail-in ballots due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to delays.

This year, certain laws in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin that prevent election workers from counting early votes until Election Day are again expected to cause delays in reporting results.

-Rachel Barber

North Carolina achieves record voter turnout in early voting despite hurricane impacts

Approximately 4.5 million ballots in North Carolina

A record number of 4.45 million ballots were cast during early voting, which ended Saturday. This surpasses the previous high of 3.6 million early votes recorded in 2020, according to officials.

Hurricane Helene severely impacted 25 counties in the western region of the state. Despite the storm’s damage, voter turnout in these areas was 2 percentage points higher than in other parts of the state, as reported by the state Board of Elections.

Karen Brinson Bell, the executive director of the state board of elections, praised the commitment of workers and voters in the affected regions, calling them “an inspiration to us all.”

The turnout figures include approximately 4.2 million individuals who voted early in person and around 250,000 absentee ballots.

About 57% of the registered voters across the state have submitted their ballots. Bob Phillips, the executive director of Common Cause, a voting rights advocacy organization, expects an additional 1.5 million people to participate on Election Day.

“This has been a historic voter turnout for North Carolina,” Phillips stated. “We’ve witnessed a tremendous level of enthusiasm.”

-Bart Jansen

FBI establishes election command post

The FBI has noted some foreign cyber-attacks during the early voting period for the 2024 election; however, officials clarified that this does not represent a significant increase compared to 2020. The agency has set up a command post to coordinate responses to election-related threats alongside other federal, state, and local authorities.

James Barnacle, the deputy assistant director of the FBI’s criminal investigative division, informed reporters that while the volume of threats has not increased substantially, public awareness about reporting suspicious activities has risen. “We have encountered some foreign influence operations and attempts at cyber attacks targeting secretaries of state and local governments to disrupt their infrastructure,” he explained during a press tour on Monday.

He indicated that countries like Russia, China, and Iran are attempting to sway the election. An example includes a misleading video that circulated in late October, which falsely claimed ballots were being destroyed in Bucks County, Pennsylvania—a scenario federal officials have labeled as a Russian hoax.

The FBI’s command office will maintain a staff of about 80 personnel from 12 different agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Secret Service; the postal inspection service; the Department of Homeland Security; and the Justice Department. This office will remain functional until at least November 9.

“This command post is more robust than past setups,” Barnacle noted.

-Bart Jansen

Secret Service readies for Election Day in Washington and Florida

The U.S. Secret Service is actively ensuring security at key locations in Washington, D.C., and Palm Beach County, Florida, where Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will be on election night.

The agency is collaborating with federal, state, and local partners to implement heightened security measures. Fencing and other safety protocols will be established around notable sites including the White House, the National Observatory, and the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

A U.S. Secret Service spokesperson stated to YSL News that “These enhancements are not a response to any specific threat but are part of comprehensive public safety preparations for Tuesday’s election.”

-Rachel Barber

Musk’s Super PAC claims $1 million giveaway is not a lottery, DA contests legality

The Super PAC supporting Elon Musk, which is pro-Trump, argues that the selection of winners for its $1 million-a-day giveaway is based on who would effectively communicate its message, rather than selecting registered voters randomly, according to a lawyer representing Musk.

Chris Gober, the attorney for Musk’s political action committee, presented this defense to a Pennsylvania judge in hopes of convincing him that the giveaway is not an “illegal lottery,” as claimed by Philadelphia District Attorney Lawrence Krasner in his lawsuit aiming to prevent the payouts ahead of Tuesday’s presidential election.

In his testimony, Krasner asserted that the daily $1 million giveaways in seven swing states crucial for the election constitute an illegal lottery. He further claimed that some Pennsylvania residents had been “duped into giving their information,” labeling the giveaway a “grift” for political marketing purposes.

Initially, Musk referred to the giveaways as lottery-like, but later changed the narrative after legal experts and, reportedly, the Justice Department expressed concerns about their legality.

“There is no prize to win; instead, recipients are required to fulfill contractual responsibilities to act as spokespersons for the PAC,” Gober explained during the hearing before Judge Angelo Foglietta.

This hearing occurs just a day before Musk’s preferred candidate, Trump, competes against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in a highly contested election.

−Josh Meyer and Reuters

Expert sees few issues with early voting

David Becker, a former Justice Department election lawyer who currently serves as executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, reported no significant issues during early voting, such as voter intimidation or violence.

“Election officials were prepared for a variety of scenarios,” Becker stated. “However, we observed no substantial problems.”

With approximately 80 million early votes cast, Becker noted that only isolated incidents occurred, including a report of a man wielding a machete in Florida.

Among the minor issues Becker identified were staffing shortages handling mail ballots in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and about 13,000 to 17,000 absentee voters in Erie County, Pennsylvania, not receiving their ballots. Approximately 3,000 voters in Cobb County, Georgia, faced similar situations. In all instances, courts allowed additional time for voters to acquire and return their ballots.

“This is typical,” Becker remarked. “These situations have been managed properly.”

−Bart Jansen

Trump jokes about Biden’s affection for him over Harris

At a rally in North Carolina on Monday morning, Donald Trump humorously claimed that Joe Biden had expressed a preference for him over Kamala Harris. He later clarified that his remark was in jest.

“Here’s breaking news: Sleepy Joe Biden has officially declared that he likes Trump more than he likes Kamala,” Trump announced, eliciting cheers from the crowd.

Shortly after, he added, “I was just kidding about Joe.”

“He didn’t officially say that,” Trump explained.

“`

“When I say it’s official, I’m just joking,” he remarked.

However, Biden has not made any formal announcement. After withdrawing from the 2024 race in July, the president expressed his support for Harris and has consistently backed her campaign since then.

– Karissa Waddick

Election Expert Cautions Against Russian Disinformation Videos

David Becker, the director of the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation and Research, warned voters on Monday to be cautious of videos that may be Russian disinformation, especially following the presidential election.

One example is a viral video claiming to show mail-in ballots being destroyed in Pennsylvania, which federal authorities claimed was a Russian fabrication.

“We will see a lot more of this,” Becker cautioned. “Any videos depicting vote flipping, instances of supposed voter fraud, or claims of rampant voter fraud based on someone’s actions should be approached with skepticism. The Russians are behind much of this.”

He also noted that the federal government is proactively working to identify videos produced by Russians to sway the election.

“These are clearly intended to provoke anger among supporters of losing candidates and to create division among Americans,” he added.

– Riley Beggin

Trump Proposes New Tariff on Mexico

During a rally in Raleigh, N.C., Donald Trump announced that he would impose a 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico if that country does not assist the U.S. in reducing immigration levels.

Trump claimed that this proposal has a “100% chance of success,” adding that if the 25% tariff is ineffective, he would escalate to a 50% or 75% tariff.

If he wins the election, Trump plans to introduce several tariffs, including a 60% tariff on Chinese goods and 10% tariffs on global imports.

These measures aim to strengthen American manufacturing; however, economists caution that they could raise prices for U.S. consumers and hinder economic growth by inviting retaliatory tariffs against U.S. exports.

Implementing tariffs on Mexico could have significant ramifications, given that Mexico is the U.S.’s largest trading partner.

– Karissa Waddick

Senate Polling Update: Democrats Lead in Key Races, Republicans Eyeing Retake

Recent polling released over the weekend shows Republicans gaining momentum in their quest to reclaim the U.S. Senate, while Democrats maintain leads in critical battleground states.

The Cook Political Report identifies Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin as the four competitive Senate races, all currently held by Democrats.

Five new polls in Pennsylvania show Democratic Senator Bob Casey leading by 1 to 5 points, while one poll has the race tied and another gives GOP challenger David McCormick a slight edge by 1 point.

In Michigan, two polls indicate a tie between former GOP Representative Mike Rogers and Democratic Representative Elissa Slotkin, while four surveys show Slotkin ahead by 2 to 8 percentage points, with one giving Rogers a 1-point lead.

Wisconsin’s new polls show incumbent Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin leading by 1 to 6 points, though one poll indicates she is tied with GOP challenger Eric Hovde, who is ahead by 1 point in one survey.

In Ohio, seen as the state most likely to flip to the Republicans, one poll shows Senator Sherrod Brown’s opponent, Bernie Moreno, with a 1-point advantage.

Arizona and Nevada appear to slightly favor Democrats, with new data supporting this trend. In Nevada, three polls indicate Democratic incumbent Senator Jacky Rosen has a lead of 2 to 9 points over Republican candidate Sam Brown, with one poll showing a tie.

In Arizona, Democratic Representative Reuben Gallego leads former TV host Kari Lake by 2 to 8 points according to four new polls.

To regain control of the Senate, Republicans need to flip two seats. They have already secured one seat in West Virginia due to Democratic-turned-independent Senator Joe Manchin’s retirement, which guarantees a Republican win.

Democrats are optimistic about countering potential losses in Ohio and Montana by capturing vulnerable Republican seats in Florida and Texas. Yet, two recent polls by Morning Consult show incumbent Republicans Rick Scott in Florida and Ted Cruz in Texas leading by 3 points each.

You can explore more about each of these polls in detail here.

− Riley Beggin

How to Track Election Night Results

You can monitor the YSL News Network’s central hub, which will provide real-time election results from across the country, particularly in vital swing states that may decide the fate of the contest between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

The hub will also cover numerous House and Senate races that will determine congressional control. Live results and analyses will be available at USATODAY.com, along with our live stream.

For the first time, the Associated Press will offer a digital livestream of the U.S. presidential election results on Tuesday night. This historic AP VoteCast broadcast will feature expert discussions, live vote counts, electoral map updates every 30 minutes, and coverage from over 35 cameras nationwide.

– Josh Meyer

Could Trump Make a Play for New Hampshire?

Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance shifted his focus to New Hampshire on Sunday, rallying support just two days before the presidential election.

He forecasted a Trump victory in the historically Democratic New England state, which has voted for Democrats in every presidential election since 2004. Nonetheless, Trump nearly won the state in 2016, thanks to its libertarian leanings.

“We’re expanding our map,” Vance remarked. “I truly believe that in two days, we will turn New Hampshire red.”

However, a recent poll from Saint Anselm College indicates that Trump still faces a tough challenge, with Harris leading by 5 points, 51%-46%.

– Margie Cullen and Karissa Waddick

Trump Intensifies Combative Rhetoric Towards Media at Pennsylvania Rally

At a rally in Pennsylvania on Sunday, Donald Trump asserted that anyone aiming to harm him would need to “shoot through the news media” first.

During a broad speech on Sunday morning, former President Trump escalated his criticism of journalists while repeating unverified allegations about voter fraud. Referring to the protective glass around him, he stated, “In order to get me, someone would need to shoot through the fake news. And I’m okay with that. I’m okay with that.”

Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, clarified that the president’s remarks were not directed at the media but rather concerned his own safety following two assassination attempts against him earlier this year.

These comments from Trump come as both presidential campaigns face backlash over increasingly aggressive, and at times violent, political rhetoric. Recently, Trump suggested that firearms should be focused on former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., who has endorsed Harris and has become one of Trump’s most prominent critics within the GOP.

– Josh Meyer and Karissa Waddick

When can we expect results on Election Day?

Don’t anticipate final results on election night. Local and state deadlines for certification can range from two days to over a month after November 5.

The surge in mail-in ballots during the COVID pandemic delayed results in 2020. It took four days for votes to be finalized and for news outlets to declare Joe Biden as the winner. In contrast, Donald Trump was declared the winner in the early hours following voting in 2016.

It remains uncertain how long the vote counting will take this year. Additionally, legal disputes could prolong the process of confirming a winner, as seen in the 2000 election.

– Rachel Barber

What are the polling hours on Election Day?

Most states will allow voters to cast their ballots from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. However, the exact hours will vary depending on the location.

For instance, some areas in Vermont open polling as early as 5 a.m., while in New York, polls close as late as 9 p.m. It’s best to check your state or local election office or their website for specific voting times in your vicinity.

YSL News’s Voter Guide provides all the essential information to ensure your voice is heard in this year’s general election.

– Rachel Barber

What deals are available on Election Day?

Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are offering discounts for voters, while Hertz provides a car rental option for those needing transportation to polling stations on November 5.

Several restaurants are also giving away freebies. For example, Krispy Kreme will distribute free Original Glazed doughnuts and “I Voted” stickers at select U.S. locations on Election Day.

If voters are feeling peckish while awaiting the election results, Grubhub+ members can access a selection of discounted options, and Uber Eats is offering a 25% discount on orders placed on Election Night.

– Mike Snider and Rachel Barber

Trump reportedly receives FCC ‘equal time’ after Kamala Harris’s appearance on NBC’s ‘SNL’

NBC informed the Federal Communications Commission that it would provide former President Donald Trump with “equal time” following a brief appearance by Vice President Kamala Harris on “Saturday Night Live.”

Harris participated in the sketch comedy show, advising comedian Maya Rudolph, who has been portraying Harris in the lead-up to the election.

After her short appearance, Republican FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr expressed on X that it was a blatant attempt to avoid the FCC’s Equal Time rule, suggesting NBC should offer similar airtime to “other qualifying campaigns.”

In a notice filed Sunday, NBC stated that Harris was on “SNL” for 1 minute and 30 seconds, appearing “without charge.” Consequently, NBC provided Trump with airtime on Sunday, allowing him to speak directly to viewers during the NASCAR 2024 Cup playoff race, as reported by CNN’s Brian Stelter.

The FCC’s equal time rule mandates that American radio and television broadcasters grant equal access to rival political candidates. However, this rule does not apply to cable channels or other video content, including podcasts or social media.

-Josh Meyer

Creative ‘I Voted’ sticker designs from YSL News readers

Have you cast your vote? Did you miss out on getting an “I Voted” sticker after voting?

Don’t worry — YSL News has got you covered. Inspired by the imaginative “I Voted” stickers from around the nation, we invited readers to share their own designs. You can download and print your favorite sticker using this template.

— Karissa Waddick

Trump’s betting advantage over Harris shrinks just days before the election

Former President Trump’s betting lead against Vice President Kamala Harris has significantly decreased shortly before the election.

One week ago, U.K. bookmaker Bet 365 had Trump at –188 and Harris at +150. However, in light of criticism following inflammatory comments from a speaker at a Trump rally regarding Puerto Rico and a new poll indicating Harris’s competitiveness in traditionally Republican Iowa, Trump’s odds have shifted to –138 for him and +120 for Harris.

Other betting odds have similarly tightened.

According to the Conversation, a nonprofit news organization, the favorite in betting has only lost two times since 1866.

— James Powel and Rachel Barber

Recent New York Times/Siena poll indicates a tie between Trump and Harris in essential states

As Election Day approaches, surveys show a competitive presidential contest between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

Recent swing state polls released by the New York Times and Siena College revealed that Harris holds a slight edge in Nevada, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Georgia, whereas Trump is ahead in Arizona. Additionally, in the critical blue wall states of Pennsylvania and Michigan, both candidates are nearly tied.

However, all state results fall within the survey’s margin of error of ±3.5%, implying that the leads may not be statistically significant. Each candidate is hoping to win a select combination of these seven swing states to secure at least 270 electoral votes.

— Karissa Waddick

Are banks operating on Election Day?

Bank branches of institutions like Bank of America, Truist, PNC, Capital One, and Wells Fargo will maintain their standard operating hours on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Other banking services, including ATMs and online banking, are expected to be available as usual on Election Day.

— Gabe Hauari

Is Election Day recognized as a federal holiday?

Election Day is not designated as a federal holiday.

However, some states do recognize Election Day as a holiday, resulting in the closure of most state offices. Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia provide paid time off for voting.

Additionally, certain states, such as Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin, allow time off for voting, although it is unpaid.

— Olivia Munson

Current polling standings for Trump and Harris

The 2024 presidential race is anticipated to remain extremely competitive right up to Election Day. According to the average of national polls from Real Clear Politics, Trump is ahead of Harris by a mere 0.1 percentage points, which is still within the margin of error for the polls involved.

In key swing states, the gap is similarly narrow. For instance, in the average polls for Wisconsin, Harris has a slight lead over Trump by 0.3 percentage points.

– Marina Pitofsky

Have questions about the election? Subscribe to YSL News’s On Politics newsletter for the latest updates and exclusive insights.

Donald Trump’s itinerary for Monday

Donald Trump will be campaigning vigorously across several swing states on Monday.

He plans to start his final day of campaigning with a rally in Raleigh, North Carolina. In the afternoon, he will conduct two rallies in Pennsylvania: one in Reading and another in Pittsburgh.

To conclude the day, Trump will make a stop in Grand Rapids, Michigan.