First polls close in America, votes are being counted: Key moments from the critical election

The American public is voting for the new US president, as well as for all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 34 seats in the 100-member Senate, the two chambers of Congress.

In a country with three different time zones, the start and end times for voting vary by state.

Across the country, the first polls will begin to close as of 6:00 PM Eastern Time on November 5 (02:00 AM TRT on November 6). All polls will close around 8:00 AM TRT on November 6.

HERE ARE THE KEY MOMENTS FROM THE ELECTION:

02:05 First polls close in the US

Voting has ended in the states of Indiana and Kentucky. According to initial results, Trump is leading in both states... In Indiana, 69 percent for Donald Trump and 29 percent for Kamala Harris... In Kentucky, 71 percent for Trump and 37.8 percent for Harris...

01:31 According to voters, the priority is the state of democracy and the economy

According to exit polls by the American television network NBC, 35% of voters stated that they voted to protect democracy, while 31% said they voted with the economy in mind. 14% of voters stated that they care about abortion, and 11% about the immigration issue. The rate of those saying “foreign policy is important” remained at 4%. Exit polls in North Carolina show Harris in the lead. While Harris is leading in North Carolina, one of the swing states, Trump appears to be leading in Pennsylvania.

01.12 Trump posts “massive cheating in Philadelphia” on Truth Social

Republican candidate Trump stated in a post on his Truth Social account, “A lot of talk about massive CHEATING in Philadelphia. Law enforcement coming!!!”

00.10 Warning to voters from Barack Obama

Former President Barack Obama stated in a message shared on his X account, “In 2020, it took several days to count every ballot, and we will most likely not know the result tonight either.”

“For this reason, please keep a few things in mind as you make your voice heard today,” said Obama, continuing as follows:

“- Thousands of election workers across the country are working very hard today. Show them respect. Thank them.

- Do not share anything without checking your sources.

- Let the process take its course. It takes time to count every ballot”

23:26 Election-related arrests

The FBI arrested two people in Michigan suspected of sending online political threats. 25-year-old Isaac Sissel from Ann Arbor was arrested for threatening to commit an act of violence if Trump wins the election and for claiming to possess a stolen AR-15 rifle. Sissel is scheduled to appear in court the same day.

46-year-old Christopher Pierce from Jackson was arrested on charges of sending threatening emails to a political action committee (PAC).

23:08 FBI: Bomb threats against polling centers originate from Russia

The FBI announced that the vast majority of bomb threats against polling centers in various states originated from “Russian email domains.” In the statement made by the Bureau, it was noted that none of the threats received to date have been found to be credible, while emphasizing that election security is among the FBI’s priorities and that they will continue to work in coordination with local security forces while American citizens cast their votes.

22:45 Elon Musk to watch the election with Trump

According to a report by the New York Times based on multiple sources, Elon Musk will spend election night at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. According to the report, Musk, who meets with Trump several times a week, has spent 119 million dollars on a Super PAC supporting Trump. It was reported that Elon Musk will follow the election results with Trump within a “small group.”

22:17 Security alarm at the Capitol building

Although it was announced that a person smelling of fuel and carrying a torch and a flare gun was detained at the US Capitol visitor center, this report was later denied.

22:05 Optimistic messages from Harris’s running mate

Tim Walz stated in a statement before flying from Pennsylvania to Washington DC that he feels good about the election result, and expressed his belief that Trump will accept the election result if he loses. Stating that he has not spoken with Harris in the last 24 hours, Walz praised Harris’s speech at her final campaign rally in Philadelphia and promised that if they lose, he would shake hands with the winning candidate and work with them.

21:45 Kamala Harris spends election day in Washington

While Harris is spending election day at the Naval Observatory, the vice presidential residence in Washington, she preferred radio channels to reach voters in critical states. By connecting to radio stations in key states such as Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina, she called on voters to go to the polls if they have not yet voted.