The Morning: Election Day

Plus, Israel, Boeing and Peruvian dining.

View in browser|nytimes.com November 5, 2024 By David Leonhardt Good morning. It's Election Day, and we're covering the big races — as well as Israel, Boeing and Peruvian dining. Kenny Holston/The New York Times A turning point Today is the rare day that's likely to change the trajectory of the United States. If Donald Trump wins, he has promised a far-reaching agenda that includes a rollback of climate regulations, an expansion of oil and gas drilling, the mass deportation of people who entered the country illegally, a reduction in military support for Ukraine, tariffs on all imported goods and a large tax cut. Yet his biggest break with American political history is not about any proposed policy. It is his rejection of democratic traditions that both parties have long supported. Trump refuses to accept election results unless he wins, speaks positively about violence and threatens to use government power to punish his political opponents. He also vows to avoid the pattern of his first term by appointing loyal aides who will carry out his wishes. If Kamala Harris wins, she has promised to uphold democratic traditions and has signaled that she will continue the policy direction of the Biden administration. She will pursue a mix of progressive and moderate policies focused on helping middle-class and lower-income families, including paid leave, expanded home construction, subsidies for health insurance and measures to reduce drug prices. Around the world, she will work closely with U.S. allies. Nonetheless, Harris would represent a break with the past in her own ways. For one thing, she would be the first woman to serve as president, shattering what Hillary Clinton called "that highest, hardest glass ceiling." A Harris victory would also make Trump a two-time loser in consecutive presidential elections, and his political future would suddenly look doubtful. Four years from now, he would be 82. In recent months, a few New York Times editors have been holding internal writing workshops, offering suggestions about how we can convey ideas and information to readers more clearly. Their presentation includes a slide that lists clichés that we should use less often, and one of them is "turning point." I agree with the editors. We do overuse that term. Today, however, happens to be a time when it's apt. For the United States, this election is a true turning point. For more: The Morning has spent months covering the stakes of this election, looking at major issues like the climate, abortion, immigration and health care. Read the series here. Also on the ballot Yesterday's newsletter mentioned some other notable elections, and we want to add to the list today: Only three Black women have served in the U.S. Senate (including Harris). Two more — Angela Alsobrooks in Maryland and Lisa Blunt Rochester in Delaware, both Democrats — could join the list. New Hampshire — a blue state that Republicans often run — may have the only close governor's race today: Kelly Ayotte, a Republican former senator, faces Joyce Craig, a former Manchester mayor. North Carolina also has a prominent governor's race, with the Democrat favored. Democrats hope to flip control of state legislative chambers in Arizona, New Hampshire and Wisconsin. Republicans hope to do so in Maine, Michigan and Minnesota. In Pennsylvania, each party controls one chamber, and both hope to win complete control. In Arizona, voters will decide whether to keep two state Supreme Court justices who voted to uphold the state's 1864 abortion ban. London Breed, San Francisco's Democratic mayor, seeks a second term. She faces three challengers who are more conservative and one who's more liberal. In Puerto Rico, a referendum asks residents whether they prefer statehood, independence or a middle ground. Maine's state flag is blue and has a coat of arms. Voters will decide whether to replace it with a lighter flag dominated by a pine tree. State of Maine/Secretary of State via AP THE LATEST NEWS Republican Campaign In Grand Rapids, Michigan. Doug Mills/The New York Times Trump held his final rally in Grand Rapids, Mich. He repeated his false claim that Democrats cheat and told his supporters that if he loses, "We would only have you to blame." At the rally, Trump stopped short of calling Nancy Pelosi an epithet. "It starts with a b, but I won't say it," he said. Trump's closing events have featured many empty seats and streams of audience members leaving early. Joe Rogan, the popular podcaster who's had Trump and JD Vance on his show, endorsed Trump. So did Megyn Kelly, the former Fox host, who called Trump "a protector of women." The Arab American mayor of Hamtramck, Mich., urged Arab Americans and Muslims to back Trump. Trump has pledged to let Robert F. Kennedy Jr. "go wild on health" if he wins. Kennedy is a vaccine conspiracy theorist and opposes adding fluoride to drinking water. "I'll fix it," Trump says of inflation, illegal immigration and crime. In fact, all three are largely back to normal. Democratic Campaign In Philadelphia. Erin Schaff/The New York Times Harris held her last rally in Philadelphia. Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin performed, and 30,000 people attended. Harris's campaign held eight simultaneous rallies in the seven swing states, playing the events from each rally at the others. Harris also knocked on doors in a Pennsylvania neighborhood and visited campaign volunteers in Scranton. Tim Walz, campaigning in Michigan, made a pitch to men, whom Trump is also courting. "I want you to think about the women in your life that you love," Walz said. "Their lives are at stake in this election." Polling A well-regarded poll showed Harris leading Trump in Iowa, where Republicans have been expecting a clear win. The result surprised the pollster. It could indicate late movement toward Harris, or it could be a fluke. The polls may be close but that does not necessarily mean there will be a close result. Nate Cohn explains four ways the election could unfold. Voting Officials announced the first result of this election — in a small New Hampshire hamlet — 12 minutes after midnight. Trump and Harris tied, with three votes each. U.S. intelligence agencies warned that Russia was attempting to undermine confidence in the election by spreading false videos and phony accusations of voter fraud. Right-wing activists and lawmakers have challenged the eligibility of thousands of voters in Pennsylvania. Here's a guide to when polls close across the country, and what to follow, region by region. The New York Times Needle will show the latest vote totals and estimates of the outcome. More states are issuing unique "I Voted" stickers. Can you match the sticker with the state? Take a quiz. More on Election Day Businesses near the White House boarded up their windows. Both campaigns say they're cautiously optimistic about winning Pennsylvania. Republicans stress the optimism, Democrats the caution. A Pennsylvania judge ruled that Elon Musk's election sweepstakes, which gave some voters a chance to win $1 million, did not violate state law. Getting Botox and bingeing TV: On Election Day, some Americans plan to unwind and unplug. Other Big Stories In Seattle.  M. Scott Brauer for The New York Times Boeing's largest union approved a new contract, ending a weekslong strike. Israeli authorities are investigating a spokesman in Benjamin Netanyahu's office who is suspected of leaking classified documents to the media. The documents helped support Netanyahu's reasoning for new conditions for a cease-fire deal. Meta said it would let U.S. agencies and contractors use its A.I. models for military purposes. All U.S. states but two — Alaska and Kentucky — are in drought. Opinions If Trump wins, we can expect an America that is far more exclusive and more resistant to change. We cannot become the country Trump wants us to be, Jamelle Bouie writes. Democrats have sided with Trump's restrictive approach to trade and immigration. In that way, he has already won, Matthew Schmitz writes. Walter Green shares his recipes and strategies for easing Election Day anxieties. Ends soon: Our best rate on unlimited access for Morning readers. From in-depth coverage of Decision 2024 to unlimited news and analysis, Games, Cooking, The Athletic and more, subscribe now for only $1 a week for your first year. MORNING READS In Kwun Tong, Hong Kong. Billy H.C. Kwok for The New York Times Tiny homes: Hong Kong's government wants to regulate the city's smallest apartments. Poor Hong Kongers are worried. Ask Vanessa: "Why are people still buying ripped jeans?" Christmas escape: More Americans view the holidays as the perfect time for a solo trip. Lives Lived: Murray McCory founded the outdoor equipment company JanSport while still in college, selling lightweight backpacks that would revolutionize school life. He died at 80. SPORTS N.F.L.: The Kansas City Chiefs, winners of two straight Super Bowls, are 8-0 to start the season after squeaking by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime. College basketball: Both the men's and women's seasons started, but most of the attention is focused on two women's stars — U.S.C.'s JuJu Watkins and Connecticut's Paige Bueckers. ARTS AND IDEAS The Peruvian chef Gaston Acurio. Janice Chung for The New York Times Last year, the World's 50 Best Restaurants, an influential survey of more than 1,000 culinary experts, awarded its No. 1 ranking to Central, a restaurant in Lima, Peru. It was a crowning moment for Peruvians, who pride themselves on their unique national cuisine, which merges Indigenous ingredients — tropical fruits, mountain grains and seafood — with soy sauce and French fries, sashimi and pesto. More on culture Some New York City Marathon participants made sure they looked good while running. See nine memorable looks. The late night hosts addressed election anxiety. "It feels like the whole country is waiting to get the results of a biopsy," Jimmy Kimmel said. THE MORNING RECOMMENDS … Christopher Testani for The New York Times Bake a batch of easy brownies while you wait for election results. Listen to 14 essential Quincy Jones songs. Try a single-serve coffee maker. Give a pick-me-up to a loved one going through a divorce. GAMES Here is today's Spelling Bee. Yesterday's pangram was phantom. And here are today's Mini Crossword, Wordle, Sudoku, Connections and Strands. Thanks for spending part of your morning with The Times. See you tomorrow. —David Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. Reach our team at themorning@nytimes.com. Editor: David Leonhardt Deputy Editor: Adam B. Kushner News Editor: Tom Wright-Piersanti Associate Editor: Lauren Jackson News Staff: Desiree Ibekwe, Sean Kawasaki-Culligan, Brent Lewis, German Lopez, Ian Prasad Philbrick, Ashley Wu News Assistant: Lyna Bentahar Saturday Writer: Melissa Kirsch Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for the Morning newsletter from The New York Times, or as part of your New York Times account. To stop receiving The Morning, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. 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