LIVE – American presidential election: polling stations open their doors

Reinforced security measures for these elections

Two out of three Americans fear an eruption of violence after the election. Some polling stations have turned into fortresses, monitored by drones and with snipers on the roofs. Electoral officials also underwent training to learn how to barricade themselves in a room or use a fire hose to repel possible intruders. In the federal capital Washington, metal barriers surround the White House, the Capitol and other sensitive sites. An impressive number of downtown stores have covered their windows with wooden planks. The images of January 6, 2021, when Trumpists attacked the seat of the American Congress, remain in everyone's minds. Nothing says that the country will be shaken by similar violence.

Donald Trump, however, has already laid the first stones of a new protest, accusing the Democrats in meeting after meeting of “cheating like hell.” And the Democratic camp said it “expected” the Republican to declare himself the winner prematurely, as he did in 2020.