COMMENT | It is almost one week before election day in the United States, Nov 5. Early voting is underway, with over 20 million votes cast already and counting in an election that is expected to have one of the highest turnouts in history.

All eyes are on the seven swing states that are seen to determine the outcome: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

These are very close contests whose results will determine who wins the delegates for the Electoral College, which will select the winner. In some states, the contest will come down to the local precinct (polling station) levels.

Given the highly tight race in “tied” polls, the “stop the steal” narrative/mobilisation and the deep partisan polarisation of American politics, the official results may not be known for some time.

Whoever wins the election, America and the world are heading for difficult times. Domestically, there will be a bitter power struggle, with the chances of political violence higher than ever.