At the end of a campaign that included record-breaking spending, annoying robocalls, texts, emails and the inevitable political ads, it was understandable that some people who voted Tuesday expressed a certain election fatigue.

But on a calm day in late May that feels like we’re starting to get around, energetic voters showed up early and in large numbers to polling places across the county, leaving no ambiguity in interviews about why they were willing to endure lines and compete for parking. spaces.

Presidential candidates were choosing between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump; Both were vying to make history: Harris as the first black woman to become CEO, Trump as the first former president. To regain office after losing his re-election bid 132 years later.

No major incidents were reported and On Truth Social, Trump noted Tuesday afternoon that “there’s been a lot of talk about mass CHEATING in Philadelphia.”City GOP chairman Vince Fenerty said he was unaware of such allegations.

In the evening, officials reported multiple bomb threats at polling places across the state, but the FBI said the state and local investigators found “no credible threat.”

Stephanie Green and her 10-year-old daughter, Charlee, said they voted for Harris to “be a part of history” at Holsey Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Philly, where voters lined up before the polls opened at 7 p.m. I

While both Pennsylvania and New Jersey were experiencing down-ballot races and contentious and expensive U.S. Senate elections, voters’ attention was clearly focused on the presidential race; perhaps the most polarizing since the last two elections involving Trump.

“We’re all worried about the main event, not the undercard,” said Sean Brennan, 42, a union worker in Winslow Township in Camden County who voted for Kamala Harris with his 19-year-old daughter Marley. I have no idea about the Senate race.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Andy Kim made his own history Tuesday by becoming the Senate’s first Korean American and the first U.S. senator from South Jersey in 70 years. The Associated Press called the race for Kim at 8 p.m. Republican Curtis Bashawa Cape May hotelier for the seat previously held by convicted former Sen. Bob Menendez.

On the Pennsylvania side, Democratic U.S. Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon and Brendan Boyle were re-elected. In the most high-profile race outside the presidency, Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey was trying to withstand a tough challenge from Republican Dave McCormick in a race that has been heating up in recent days.

But that race has been overshadowed to some extent by the unprecedented attention presidential candidates have paid to the Keystone State, which is seeking 19 electoral votes, the most among so-called swing states.

Harris and Trump have made more than 40 visits to Pennsylvania. They may appear to be spending as much time in the state as the governor in recent weeks.

And the presidential race dominated voters’ comments, with the economy, crime, border security, immigration, abortion, transgender rights among Trump’s concerns.

Nikeya Boone, 50, of East Falls, said she barely slept Monday night and remained on edge after voting for Harris on Tuesday morning. “I’m really concerned about overall democracy and what’s best for the greater good,” Boone said. Her vote for Harris “wasn’t about her being a woman. It’s not about race. I’m concerned about Trump’s divisiveness.”

But Jennifer Klimas, 57, a registered Republican, said she felt safer when Trump became president. A Chadds Ford area resident said he was recently attacked late at night.

“I am very disappointed in how a crime victim was treated by this administration,” Klimas said. “They are very easy on crime.”

While Trump is outraged over his unsupported claims that Haitian immigrants are eating dogs and cats, Ann Brown, 65, an African American Republican and retired elementary school teacher who lives in Center City, believes the former president will address her concerns about the border.

A lifelong Democrat, he switched parties last year after becoming disillusioned with immigration. “It’s not right that people who were born here and didn’t do anything are here homeless on the streets, while other people from other countries come and live well,” Brown said.

In Reading, Rene Comes and his wife, Marangely Oliveras, said they plan to vote for Trump. Like many other Puerto Ricans in the city, which is now more than two-thirds Latino, they oppose mass illegal immigration. They also felt that Trump could stand up to other world leaders.

Then they heard about Trump’s now-infamous Madison Square Garden rally, in which comedian Tony Hinchcliffe called Puerto Rico “a floating island of garbage.” And on Tuesday, they went to their polling place, the Berks Latino Workforce Development Center on Reading’s south side, and cast their votes for Harris.

Nitzia Rivera, 61, said after voting at Hazleton City Hall: “I’m from Puerto Rico and they say we’re trash. “I’ll show him we’re not like that.”

Outside West Philadelphia High School, Milo Dabney, 51, a 28-year-old union worker wearing a blue Kamala-Tim Walz shirt, said his main concern was the potential loss of blue-collar jobs under Trump and that he couldn’t do it. Supporting such a “hateful person”.

Both Trump and Harris voters in Upper Gwynedd Township said Tuesday they were tired of political polarization but couldn’t agree on who to blame.

“This nonsense of yelling and screaming at each other has got to stop,” said Jack Meehan, 75, who works in finance. He voted for Trump.

“He can’t keep his mouth shut, yeah,” Meehan said. But Democrats are holding signs that say “Trump is for Jail,” he said. “This is divisive.”

Gene and Carol Kadish, on the other hand, voted for Harris “so this nonsense doesn’t happen anymore,” Gene Kadish said.

“We’re voting for the Constitution, democracy, women’s right to vote, and everything Harris stands for,” Carol Kadish said. “We are totally against the other side.”

Some voters, like Jim Flanigan, said they were forced to choose between candidates they didn’t like.

“I held my nose,” said Flanigan, 65, a retired sales manager who voted for Trump, adding that he did so despite Trump’s “giant, narcissistic ego.”

Alan Geist said he “gagged” while voting at Schwenksville Elementary School on Tuesday morning, but he voted for Trump. “This was not a happy vote,” said Geist, a 68-year-old engineer. Geist said she supports the right to abortion at the beginning of pregnancy and is concerned about environmental issues, but believes Trump will keep in check a government she sees as “more institutionally liberal.”

Voters at Shady Maple Smorgasbord, the nation’s largest buffet restaurant in predominantly Republican rural Lancaster County, had fewer reservations about the former president, praising him for his stances on the economy, immigration and abortion.

“The economy has been bad for at least four years,” said Colin West, 35, of East Earl. “I voted for (former President Barack) Obama twice… Things seem to be getting worse over the last eight-plus years.”

“I don’t like Kamala. “I don’t think he’s answered any questions, and I don’t think he would be a good president,” said Jane Guyer, a 43-year-old Trump voter who owns a local concrete and asphalt company.

Abortion was a major issue that divided many Harris and Trump supporters.

“I’m voting on a pro-life platform,” said Brigid Gallagher, 35, a GOP campaign worker in West Chester. “I believe life begins at fertilization, and that’s not something I can give up.”

Nicole Lewis, a mother of six from Philadelphia, said: “I voted for Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party because I am a woman and I want to protect my rights. “I have three daughters and I want them to have their rights too.” Lewis said he had decided that his last child would be his last. “But if something happens one night and I might need reproductive health care, that’s my job.”

Campaigning has been a grueling experience for Lewis, 37, and he said he almost lost sight of what he was voting for after incessant calls, texts, social media ads and TV spots clouded his view of the candidates. He said he has received 2,600 calls and messages in the past few months trying to persuade him to vote for certain candidates.

“This election has been shoved down your throat with calls, messages, ads and posts up and down my social media and it’s very concerning,” he said. “After a while, they all started to treat the other party so badly that it became difficult to tell who was who.”

Come Wednesday, at least that part should be over.

Philadelphian Emily Cucinotta, 36, hopes she’s about to see Harris make history.

“The last few days have been a celebration,” said Cucinotta, who attended Harris’ rally and concert in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Monday night.

She practically danced her way out of the polls after voting for Harris at the Delaplaine McDaniel School in South Philadelphia on Tuesday morning. Cucinotta, who describes herself as half black and half white, said that as a child, she dreamed of one day having the first female president.

“It’s really incredibly powerful to see this come to fruition, especially for someone who is a minority,” he said.

Contributors to this article include staff writers Ximena Conde, Beatrice Forman, Sarah Gantz, Maddie Hanna, Lynette Hazelton, Earl Hopkins, Erin McCarthy, Gillian McGoldrick, Michelle Myers, Jason Nark, Mike Newall, Amy S. Rosenberg, Wendy Ruderman, Henry Savage There was. and Vinny Vella.