US presidential election: 5 candidates, 1 White House: Early voting is about to start for 2024 US election

Early in-person voting for the 2024 US presidential election kicks off Friday, starting in Virginia, South Dakota, and Minnesota, and election offices are beginning to send out absentee ballots. This marks the beginning of the voting season, with just over 45 days left until election day on November 5, when the American voters will choose their next President. More states in the US will follow with early in-person voting by mid-October.

There are five presidential candidates running in the race for the White House — Democrat Kamala Harris, Republican Donald Trump, Independent candidate Cornel West, and two third-party candidates, Jill Stein and Chase Oliver.

As voters head to the polls, election officials across the country are ramping up security efforts to protect polling places and staff from threats. Since the 2020 elections, election officials have faced harassment and even death threats, according to the news agency Associated Press (AP).

Recently, in more than 15 states, including Virginia, election officials have received suspicious packages ahead of the election, and federal authorities are investigating their origin.

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon emphasised the importance of a smooth election process during a news conference. Minnesota is the home state of Kamala Harris’s running mate, Governor Tim Walz.

“If I could wave a magic wand in this room right now, I would wish for two things: Between now and November 5th, I want to see high turnout and low drama,” Steve Simon was quoted as saying by AP.

While early voting begins, former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s rhetoric has grown more combative. He recently pledged to prosecute anyone who “cheats” in the election, echoing his false claims of widespread fraud during the 2020 election.

Earlier, Trump sought to sow doubts about early mail-in voting. However, Trump and the Republican National Committee, which is now controlled by Trump, are urging GOP voters to take advantage of these methods, mirroring long-standing Democratic strategies, reported AP.

In Virginia, early voting has been a popular option, especially in cities like Chesapeake. Early turnout is expected to reduce Election Day crowds.

Fairfax County Elections Director Eric Spicer anticipates heavy turnout this year, noting that in 2020, about one-third of local voters cast their ballots in person on Election Day.

Minnehaha County in South Dakota, the state’s most populous county, is expecting an 80% overall voter turnout.

Concerns over mail-in voting persist as the US Postal Service continues to face operational challenges. Election officials across the country have raised alarms about possible mail delays that could disenfranchise voters.

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has reassured officials that the Postal Service is prepared, stating in a letter that he will work with state election offices to address concerns.

To avoid any mail-related issues, Simon encouraged voters to plan ahead, especially if voting by mail. He advised voters to request absentee ballots early and return them promptly, noting that in some states, only ballots received by Election Day will be counted. “The stakes really are high for individual voters,” Simon said.