Wearing face masks and standing spaced apart, Americans waited at polling stations to choose a president on an election day marked so far by orderliness and mostly short lines, even as major cities braced for potential unrest.
People stand in line to vote on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center in Palm Beach, Florida. Photo: AFP / Getty Images
The masks and boarded-up stores in many city centres were reminders of two of the issues shaping 2020's polarizing elections, with Covid-19 still ravaging parts of the country after a summer of sometimes violence-marred protests against police brutality and racism.
In New York City, some voting lines snaked around blocks. But in many places lines were short or non-existent, which poll workers guessed was due to an unprecedented wave of early voting, with a record number of ballots cast before Election Day.
In some big cities, buildings were boarded up over fears there could be violent protests later.
In New York City, the Empire State Building, Macy's department store, and the skyscraper that houses the Trump-favored Fox News channel were among buildings that were boarded up.
On Rodeo Drive, one of the most expensive shopping streets in California's Beverly Hills, staff had stripped the display windows at Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels of their jewels and luxury stores disappeared behind plywood.
Boarded up stores on Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, California. Photo: AFP
New Zealanders in the United States have been warned to to avoid areas where political rallies or protest activity may occur, and cautious in the lead up to the election and presidential inauguration.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) Safe Travel website said since early this year, there have been widespread protests and demonstrations, with some resulting in violence, looting and civil unrest.
"Even protests or political rallies which are intended to be peaceful can result in violence," it said.
"A strong police and/or National Guard presence can be expected at any further protests. Police measures have, at times, included the use of rubber bullets and/or pepper spray to disperse crowds."
New Zealand's ambassador to Washington has is reported to have sent a note in recent weeks to embassy staff members reminding them to keep a stock of food and essentials at home - as has been protocol during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The New York Times said the ambassador, Rosemary Banks, noted a new concern - the prospect that violent protests around the election could mean staff members might need to avoid venturing into the streets.
The American Civil Liberties Union and other civil rights groups said they were watching closely for signs of voter intimidation, and the US Justice Department's Civil Rights Division said it would deploy staff to 18 states.
Election officials and political party representatives raised worries about a spate of automated phone calls warning voters away from the polls for bogus reasons in Iowa, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Florida.
Staff at the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, a Washington-based advocacy group, told reporters they were concerned about voting machines not working in three counties in Georgia, forcing voters to fill in paper ballots and raising concerns that the paper back-ups would run out.
In North Carolina, one of the most closely watched battleground states, officials said all looked smooth on Tuesday morning, with no long lines.
Tensions have flared up around the country in the run-up to Election Day.
Trump supporters driving pick-up trucks down a Texas highway surrounded a bus filled with Biden campaign staff last week. In North Carolina over the weekend, police pepper-sprayed a group of mostly Democrats marching to polling stations. And members of an anti-government militia group have been charged in an alleged plot to kidnap the Democratic governor of Michigan.
The fondness among some Trump supporters of forming honking, traffic-jamming caravans of vehicles has spread to New York and beyond, and more such events are planned for later on Tuesday. Some election security experts worry the caravans could break laws, intimidate voters or spiral into violent confrontations.
How to follow the US election results on RNZ:
Checkpoint has a four-hour US election special from 4pm on Wednesday, hosted by Lisa Owen. You can see a live stream on our website, listen on 101FM, or watch on Freeview Channel 50, Sky Channel 83, Facebook or YouTube.
RNZ's online coverage includes a live blog with results, reaction and analysis as it happens.
Morning Report on Thursday will focus on the election results with reaction from the US, New Zealand and around the world.
- Reuters / RNZ