The U.S. Presidential Election Today – Who Will Win?

The U.S.’ 44th presidential election will collectively begin in all 50 states and Washington D.C., with the eastern states including New Hampshire, Maine, and Virginia cutting the tape at 6:00 a.m. on November 2 (8:00 p.m. on November 2 in Korean time).

The outcome of the election, in which President George W. Bush and John Kerry of the Democratic Party are in an all-time closest competition, is expected to be announced after 9:00 p.m. today (11:00 a.m. on November 3 in Korean time).

As of October 31, as neither candidate has secured 270 electoral college votes, which is the number necessary to win the race, out of a total of 538, the election outcomes in the five or six states in close competition will decide the fate of the candidates.

In particular, Florida (27 electoral college votes), Ohio (20), Pennsylvania (21), and Iowa (7) are the states in close competition, and it seems that the outcomes in Florida and Ohio, with many electoral college votes, will be the key to the election.

However, as ballot recounts may be necessary in several states, the decision on the winner of the election could be delayed.

Showing an outcome of 48-48 in various public opinion polls until yesterday, just one day before the presidential election, neither President Bush nor candidate Kerry dominated the other.

It was reported that al-Qaida’s leader Osama bin Laden’s videotape opened to the public on October 29 had little influence on the support rate of the two candidates.

The current U.S. presidential election is receiving attention because it is the first presidential election since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, and the outcome of the election can influence not only the U.S.’ home affairs policies but also the international community more than ever.

Along with the presidential election, elections for 34 senators, which is one-third of the 100 senators, all 435 congressmen, and 11 out of 50 governors will also be held today.

Soon-Taek Kwon maypole@donga.com