Global impact | US presidential elections looms, with impact to be felt across Asia

In this week’s issue of the Global Impact newsletter, we look at the latest ahead of Tuesday’s vote, including its potential implications for the Asia-Pacific region

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Early voters fill out their ballots at the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House in Rochester. Photo: AP

Published: 2:00pm, 4 Nov 2024

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Campaigns for the 2024 presidential election – arguably the most consequential in US history – have entered their final stretch, with much of the world in suspense over whether Americans will have their first female president or witness a Donald Trump comeback.

Less than a week from Tuesday’s election, the race for the White House between Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris and Republican former president Trump remains too close to call.

The candidates, who have been rallying support in key swing states, are basically neck and neck in the national polls, as well as in the seven battleground states that will decide the election.

Nearly 62 million American voters had cast early votes as of late evening Thursday, according to NBC News’ tracker, either in person or by mail. These early returns are being closely watched in the swing states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona and Nevada.

Early voting numbers for this election cycle, already surpassing those from 2016 and 2012, are expected to increase, as both campaigns have reported strong early turnout among registered voters.

In an about-face, Trump – who four years ago voiced suspicions about pre-election voting – has encouraged his supporters to vote early and by mail this year. About 100 million pre-election votes were cast in the 2020 election, a record number thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic.