In a high-stakes election, exit poll data from Edison Research shows that nearly three-quarters of Americans believe US democracy is under threat. This reveals the level of concern among voters as they cast ballots in a close race between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump. According to the poll, 73% of voters worry about the future of democracy, while only 25% feel it is secure. Voters named democracy and the economy as their top concerns, followed by issues like abortion and immigration. These results provide an early look at voter priorities, though opinions may change as more voters are surveyed through the night. This election has seen some unusual events: two assassination attempts against Trump, President Biden’s unexpected exit, and Harris’s quick rise as the Democratic nominee. Trump, who has often questioned the 2020 election outcome, voted near his home in Palm Beach, Florida, and said to reporters, "If I lose an election, if it's a fair election, I'm gonna be the first one to acknowledge it." Harris, who had already mailed in her ballot in California, spent part of Election Day on radio encouraging people to vote. She also planned to speak at Howard University, her alma mater, calling the chance to visit on such an important day "full circle." Exit polls are a snapshot of the views of people who voted and reflect some of the differences in turnout among various groups. This year, both Harris and Trump are nearly tied in key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Georgia, keeping the race extremely close. If Harris wins, she would make history as the first woman, Black woman, and South Asian American to become president. If Trump wins, he would be the first president in more than a century to serve non-consecutive terms. IN PHOTOS | America heads to polls as Kamala Harris, Donald Trump face off in tight race The outcome will also affect which party controls Congress, as both the Senate and House races are tight. (With inputs from Reuters)
