Exit polls showed on Tuesday that voters in Pennsylvania desire a peaceful transition of presidential power, a sentiment also shared in other key swing states.
Pennsylvania, which has 19 electoral votes in the Electoral College, is regarded as a battleground state by both major political parties.
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▲ Supporters of Donald Trump react to election results as they attend the New York Young Republican Club watch party in Manhattan on Wednesday. Andrew Kelly/REUTERS
It was the destination visited numerous times by the Democratic candidate, Vice-President Kamala Harris, and former president Donald Trump, the Republican candidate.
US networks projected early on Wednesday that Trump has won the White House, securing more than the 270 electoral votes needed to defeat Harris, including those of four key battlegrounds Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
On Election Day, a series of bomb threats happened across multiple battleground states. The bomb threats in parts of Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania on Tuesday turned out to be hoaxes, but they forced some polling places to evacuate and extend hours, and delayed the counting of some ballots.
The threats were reported throughout the day at polling locations in three metro Atlanta counties, all with large numbers of Democratic voters, and into the evening at Pennsylvania polling places and election offices where ballots were being counted. Bomb threats were also reported in Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin, according to state election officials.
The attorneys general from 47 states and three US territories were urging people to remain peaceful and to preemptively "condemn any acts of violence related to the results".
That sentiment was shared by voters in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
"I would say integrity is really important to me; character, honesty, how we treat other people, whether they agree with us or not," Elish Mill, a 45-year-old social worker who said she voted for Harris, told China Daily. Women's rights are a top priority, she added.
"Part of the intention and goal of the creation of our country is absolutely peaceful transition... If we can do that peacefully and with common decency, that would be what I'm looking for from our country."Four years ago showed us some concerning things, and there's certainly been rhetoric … but I will remain hopeful in the core goodness of people," Mill said.A 64-year-old resident of Doylestown, who identified himself only as Bill, said, "Anxious, nervous — that it could go the wrong way.
"I've never seen our country in this state, ever. The division started eight or 12 years ago, and now this is where we're at.
"I don't know what's going on. The state of our country is insane," said Bill, who runs a fence company.
He said he cares most about the stability of the border, abortion and inflation issues, and said he voted for Trump.
"When he was president before, there were no wars — plenty of low-cost gas, low cost of food bills. The other day I went to the supermarket, and it was insane. I can't believe how high they are," he said of grocery prices. "I would rather see a peaceful (transition) if Donald Trump wins, and we'll see if it's peaceful."
Patricia, 70, who said she was voting for Harris, echoed: "I'm worried. I'm worried about what's going to happen starting tomorrow. I haven't slept for days. I'm so scared for this world."
Voters are divided on the abortion issue. The US Supreme Court in 2022 overturned the 1973 Roe versus Wade ruling, which established a constitutional right to abortion. The ruling left the decision up to the individual states.![]()
▲ Supporters of Kamala Harris react during an election night event at Howard University in Washington on Tuesday. Charly Triballeau/AFPPatricia, who said she has four daughters and six granddaughters, said women's rights are her top priority.
"I won't be here much longer, but my daughters and my granddaughters (will). I'm just worried about everybody. I've never seen our country so divided, so it's a little scary."
Mary Ellen, a 65-year-old former teacher, said she voted for Trump.
"I can't ever vote for a country that would espouse killing children in the womb for the convenience of the mother. I just think we have to protect our citizens who are in the womb," she said.
Jane Cardinale, a 66-year-old physician, said, "Knowing that every vote counts, especially in Bucks County, and especially in Pennsylvania, makes me feel really good.
"Well, regardless of who wins, we would like to avoid insurrection."
Agencies contributed to this story.![]()
