In-person voting for this year’s US presidential election began in three states on Friday, marking the start of the six-week race to Election Day after a summer of political protests.
Voters lined up to cast ballots in Minnesota, South Dakota and Virginia, the first states to offer in-person voting. About a dozen more states will follow suit by mid-October.
At a polling place in Minneapolis, Jason Miller arrived well before 8 a.m., when polls opened, and was first in line.
“Why not be the first?” “It’s fun, isn’t it?” said the 37-year-old house painter.
He said he voted “against madness” but refused to name his presidential candidate.
“I don’t think I can do it. I think it’s pretty clear. I think it’s very, very clear,” he said.
The launch of in-person voting comes after a tumultuous summer in American politics that included President Joe Biden withdrawing from the race and being replaced by Vice President Kamala Harris on the Democratic ticket, as well as the assassination of Republican nominee Donald Trump after another nine weeks of open attack.
Across the country, local election directors are increasing security to protect workers and polling places, while ensuring that ballots and voting procedures are not tampered with. Since the 2020 presidential election, election officials and grassroots workers have been subject to harassment and even death threats.
Federal authorities are investigating suspicious packages sent or received by election officials in more than 15 states, including Virginia, in recent days.
“If I had to wave a magic wand in this room right now, I would like two things: Between now and November 5th, I would like to see high turnout and low drama,” Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said in a press conference Thursday where he discussed his state’s efforts during the election. Simon is also president of the National Association of Government Secretaries.
