Voters are heading to polls across D.C., Maryland and Virginia to cast their votes in high-risk elections

Election Day 2024 has arrived. Polls in DC and Maryland are now open until 8 p.m. Across Virginia, polls will be open until 7 p.m. as voters across the U.S. choose between a former president and a current vice president as their next commander in chief.

About 77 million Americans have already voted early, but the Democratic presidential nominee – Vice President Kamala Harris – and the Republican presidential nominee – former President Donald Trump – are pushing to recruit many millions more supporters this Election Day.

It is the final chapter of one of the most confusing, unpredictable and consequential sagas in American political history. For once, the word “unprecedented” was not overused.

The United States has never elected a president who was convicted of a crime. Trump survived two assassination attempts. President Joe Biden left office in the middle of the election year and Harris could become the first female president.

More election news

Maryland

Want to know what's on the ballot? Visit WTOP's Maryland Voter Guide

In addition to the race for the White House, the race for the US Senate in Maryland could also make history. Prince George's Democratic County Executive Angela Alsobrooks is battling Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan for the chamber.

If Alsobrooks wins, she would be the state's first Black senator. If Hogan wins, he could shift the balance of power in the Senate.

• Voting centers are open until 8 p.m
• Mailbox for ballot papers are open until 8 p.m

If you mail in your ballot, make sure it is postmarked no later than 8:00 p.m. You can also drop off your ballot in person at your local elections board by 8 p.m

In addition to electing candidates for office, Maryland voters will also be asked whether an amendment enshrining abortion rights should be added to the state constitution.

Virginia

For more information about what's on the ballot, see WTOP's Virginia Voter Guide

WTOP's Neal Augenstein reported live from the polling station at Liberty Elementary School in Loudoun County as polls across Virginia opened at 6 a.m

In addition to the presidential race, all 11 Virginia-held U.S. House seats are on the ballot. Some of those races are expected to be closely contested, including two open seats vacated by Democratic incumbents in Northern Virginia.

• Voting centers are open until 7 p.m

If you missed the deadline to update your registration, you have until 7:00 p.m. to cast a provisional vote

All voters must have a valid form of identification such as a driver's license, military ID or passport.

Make sure mail-in ballots are mailed with a postmark no later than November 5th.

Incumbent Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, who has held a U.S. Senate seat since 2013, is being challenged by a political newcomer, Republican Hung Cao.

Competitive races have formed in Northern Virginia as two incumbents resign: Rep. Abigail Spanberger in Virginia's 7th Congressional District and Rep. Jennifer Wexton in the 10th District.

At the local level, voters will elect new mayors, council members and school board members.

Virginia voters will also be asked whether to extend an existing property tax exemption to the families of veterans who died in the line of duty.

Virginians can find their individual polling locations and ballot information in the state Department of Elections' search tool.

WTOP/Luke Lukert

WTOP/Neal Augenstein

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Direct current

What's on the ballot in DC? Here's WTOP's DC voter guide

WTOP's Luke Lukert reported live from the polling place at Annunciation Catholic Church in northwest D.C., minutes after polls across the District opened at 7 a.m

A number of closely watched local issues are on the ballot in the District, including seats on the D.C. Council and an initiative that could dramatically change the city's election process.

• Voting centers are open until 8 p.m
• Mailbox for ballot papers are open until 8 p.m

D.C. residents can cast their vote at any of the 75 vote centers throughout the District. Same-day registration is available for those who have not registered to vote.

To register to vote, be sure to bring acceptable proof of residency that shows your name and current county address. Registered voters do not need to show ID to vote in person.

A complete list of Election Day vote centers in DC is available online.

“I think it’s a civic duty. You have to vote. Regardless of whether the district you are voting in has a chance of one candidate winning or the other, you should still do your civic duty,” said a male voter who did not want to be identified.

While voting at the Annunciation Catholic Church polling station in Northwest, he told WTOP that he chose to vote in person because he lived “right across the street” and it was “convenient.”

When asked whether certain issues concerned him, the voter replied: “Immigration, the wars that just don't seem to end, financial policy.”

D.C. voter Tammy MacDonald said voting is “an important part of being an American” and looked forward to receiving a sticker that reads “I Voted.”

When asked if there were any issues that were close to her heart, MacDonald replied: “Reproductive rights are hugely important. LGBTQIA+ rights are huge. Human rights are huge. I know DC voters don’t have much influence in the general election, but it’s important to have a voice.”

Both MacDonald and the unidentified male voter told WTOP that they voted against Initiative 83, a ballot measure that would allow the district to have ranked-choice voting.

WTOP's Neal Augenstein, Nick Iannelli, Jessica Kronzer, Luke Lukert, Mitchell Miller, Mike Murillo, Thomas Robertson, Will Vitka and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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