BBC Reporters Detail Election Night Events in Swing States

Seven battleground states are anticipated to determine the next US president, a contest between former President Donald Trump and Vice-President Kamala Harris. Trump has been projected as the winner in three of these states: North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. Our correspondents on the ground are conveying the atmosphere from these swing states as election results continue to be reported. Reporting from Dearborn, Madeline Halpert, and from Detroit, Ione Wells, note that in Michigan, it is still too early to ascertain the winning candidate, although Donald Trump holds a slight lead, which excludes most votes from Wayne County, the largest Democratic county. Throughout the day, we engaged with voters across the state, which, according to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, was on track to surpass voter turnout records earlier in the day. A variety of issues motivated people to cast their ballots. Reproductive rights were a primary concern for some women, while both men and women expressed worries about the economy. Yian Yian Shein, a restaurant owner in Warren, a Detroit suburb, stated her belief that Trump would reduce income taxes and bolster her small business. Meanwhile, Tania Slaughter, who resides in neighboring Oakland County, became tearful as she recounted voting for Kamala Harris. She declared, “It’s time” for a woman president. At a watch party in Detroit, we have been speaking with several Democrat donors and strategists, both current and former. A growing sense of unease is palpable in the room, with some privately admitting they are feeling “very pessimistic.” This is partly due to supporters managing expectations in such a tight race, as they wish to avoid getting their hopes up while the margins remain so narrow. We anticipate knowing the outcome of the race by midday on Wednesday, possibly even sooner. Brandon Drenon reports from Raleigh: The ambiance at the North Carolina Democratic watch party in Raleigh early on Tuesday was highly festive, featuring a marching band, a DJ, freely available cocktails, and many smiles. By late night, the crowd had noticeably quieted. Trump had just been projected as the winner in the state. The remaining attendees displayed mixed emotions. They are pleased by the projected victories of three major Democratic candidates—for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general—but are disheartened by Harris’s defeat. Saira Estrada conveyed her feelings, stating, “It’s hard. I’m sad.” She added, “I don’t know if I can live through another Trump era.” Voters in North Carolina expressed feeling the gravity of being in a closely observed battleground state. One woman told the BBC earlier in the day, “It’s exciting but it’s also a lot of pressure.” She is a freshman at the University of North Carolina (UNC) and had just cast her ballot in her first presidential election, alongside three friends who were also voting for the first time. The group declined to reveal their voting choices or names, citing the “very polarised and divisive” nature of US politics. This was a frequent response across the state from anxious voters. The students identified immigration as their primary concern, an issue Trump emphasized throughout his campaign. From the mountains of western North Carolina to UNC in Chapel Hill, over 200 miles away, immigration was a significant focus for many voters in the state, which is a positive indicator for Republicans. Bernd Debusmann reports from Allentown: A mood of cautious optimism prevailed as the night progressed in Allentown, Pennsylvania, a majority-Latino city that was the site of intense campaigning from both Harris and Trump. At a watch party organized by Republican House candidate Ryan Mackenzie, drinks flowed freely, and early on, Trump supporters were encouraged by signs indicating his strong performance in the state. With every report of Trump gaining ground, the crowd erupted in loud applause and chants of “Trump” and “fight.” Conversations with Trump supporters at the rally revealed several common themes: the economy, and a perception that drugs and crime are entering across the US-Mexico border. In the days and weeks following this election, much attention will be directed toward the state’s Latino voters and their influence on the outcome, with initial data suggesting that Trump, for the third consecutive election, surpassed expectations among that electorate. For many Latinos in Pennsylvania, this comes as no surprise. Their concerns, they stated, are identical to those of the broader US population. Samuel Negron, a Pennsylvania state trooper and Puerto Rican-American, remarked, “We liked things, the economy, better four years ago.” He continued, “You pay $5 for a dozen eggs now. It was much less before. A lot of us have woken up.” Trump is projected to win Pennsylvania. Carl Nasman in Madison and Mike Wendling in Milwaukee report: We are attending Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin’s election night party in Madison, Wisconsin. A cheer rose in the room when early results appeared on the large TV screen, showing Baldwin leading against her Republican challenger Eric Hovde. However, moments later, the state’s Lieutenant Governor, Sara Rodriguez, took the stage to offer a dose of reality. “Let me level with you: we likely won’t see (final) results until much later,” she said. “This is normal. This is what we expect in Wisconsin.” The campaign expresses confidence that the numbers will ultimately lead to a victory, but the atmosphere in the building has not reflected this for several hours. Democrats hope that Milwaukee, a large Democratic area of the state that has yet to report its results, will provide enough votes to secure a narrow victory for Harris and Baldwin. In Milwaukee, a dispute has arisen concerning approximately 30,000 ballots that needed to be re-run through tabulation machines. The state’s Republican Senator Ron Johnson accused election workers of being “sloppy.” However, Paulina Gutierrez, head of the city’s Election Commission, rejected those charges and informed reporters: “We have nothing to hide here.” She affirmed, “Every ballot that was here that was legitimate was counted, it was counted accurately, it was tracked, there is a paper trail, there is a chain of custody and we are going to get this done.” Christal Hayes reports from Phoenix: The vote count here in the swing state of Arizona is expected to continue for days. At the Democrats’ watch party at a Hyatt hotel in Phoenix, large TVs displayed MSNBC and music blared from powerful speakers throughout the evening, but the sing-a-long tunes and vibrant beats were insufficient. Optimism appeared to be fading with each state projected for Trump. The line for the bar extended through the ballroom. As Trump was declared the projected winner in the swing state of North Carolina, a collective sigh filled the ballroom. Wade Sumner, 25, continued to refresh his phone. Ruth Garcia, 25, let out an exhausted “how?” Each person at their small table, which was filled with already empty alcoholic drinks, was fixated on their phones, each displaying election results from a different news outlet. Mr. Sumner stated, “We’re still hopeful.” Jocelyn Guzman, 26, interjected with a reminder. “I mean, this is how we felt in the last election. It took forever to really know,” she said. “That doesn’t mean it isn’t anxiety inducing.” When asked about the prospect of another Trump presidency, their faces visibly saddened. Mr. Sumner declared, “It’s unimageable.” Alongside the presidential race, the issue of abortion is on the ballot. A crucial Senate race will also be decided, which could determine which party controls the upper chamber of Congress. John Sudworth reports from Atlanta: The projection of Trump as the winner in Georgia was the crowning achievement for the Republican watch party here in Atlanta, where many attendees, some in Maga hats and others in Stetsons, had been enthusiastically celebrating throughout the evening. This marked the second swing state to be called and another significant milestone on Trump’s intended path to the White House via the southern swing states. There are also encouraging signs for Republicans in the detailed results, with Trump increasing his support in rural counties where he was already very strong, and even gaining some votes in urban counties. Georgia had promised an early result, which, while perhaps not as prompt as hoped, was inconsequential for the state’s Republicans. They are jubilant. Lily Jamali reports from Las Vegas: On Tuesday, the mood in Nevada was buoyant. There is also a sense of anticipation. It has become clear that the Silver State’s outcome could depend on the ballots of independent voters. At a voting center at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, multiple voters cited housing affordability as a key issue driving them to the polls. However, voters named different candidates when asked who could address the problem. Daniel Bueno, a US citizen originally from Colombia, stated, “Everybody’s coming to Las Vegas and real estate agents are taking advantage. It affects us.” Mr. Bueno was influenced by the Trump campaign’s argument that immigration is responsible for the high cost of housing. But 26-year-old Olympia Aguilar said Vice-President Kamala Harris’s policy proposals, including $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, would assist people like her who are attempting to enter the market. Ms. Aguilar commented, “She makes that option seem available to us,” adding, “I could grow and move forward with my life instead of just trying to get by.” Election officials will count ballots mailed on Tuesday if they arrive by week’s end. Additionally, approximately 14,000 ballots may have missing or mismatched signatures, according to Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar. Nevadans have until Tuesday to rectify such issues, so a final result may not be available for some time.