MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, USA (AP) — On Friday, in-person voting begins for this year’s United States presidential elections, marking the start of a six-week sprint to election day after a summer filled with political turmoil.
Voters lined up to cast their ballots in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Virginia, the states with the first opportunities for early in-person voting. Nearly a dozen more states will do the same in mid-October.
At a polling place in Minneapolis, Jason Miller arrived well before 8 in the morning, the time when the polls opened, and was the 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 he did not want to mention the name of his presidential choice.
"I don't think I have to do it. I think it's pretty obvious. I believe it's very, very clear," he stated.
The start of in-person voting comes after a tumultuous summer in American politics, which included President Joe Biden withdrawing from the race and being replaced by Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, as well as an assassination attempt against Republican candidate Donald Trump, followed by another apparent attack just nine weeks later.
Throughout the country, local election officials are increasing security to protect their workers and polling places, while ensuring that ballots and voting procedures are not tampered with. Ordinary election officials and workers have been subjected to harassment and even death threats since the 2020 presidential election.
Federal authorities are investigating the origin of suspicious packages sent to or received by election officials in the past few days in over 15 states, including Virginia.
"If I could wave a magic wand in this room right now, I would wish for two things: between today and November 5, I would like to see a high turnout and little drama," said Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon on Thursday during a press conference where he presented a preview of his state's efforts around the election season. Simon is also the president of the National Association of Secretaries of State.