Voters lined up to cast their ballots during early voting for the US presidential election at a polling station in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday. REUTERS

Danielle Trenney, a 39-year-old project manager from western Pennsylvania, is so anxious about the upcoming U.S. presidential election that she decided to set up a Christmas tree early this year to divert her family's attention. Trenney mentioned that other families in Bellevue, a Pittsburgh suburb and a key electoral area, are doing the same. Both Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump are vying for votes in this crucial region.

"Just trying to calm the anxiety," said Trenney, who voted for Harris before Election Day. "Anything to distract from, 'Oh my God, what's going to happen?'" Nearby, Jennifer Bunecke, 68, a retired graphic designer planning to vote for Trump, is tired of the political tension, pollster calls, and campaign ads in Pennsylvania. She spent part of Saturday reading a pastry recipe booklet to stay calm. "I was never into politics. I wasn't raised with it," she said.

On Election Eve, America is on edge. With two vastly different candidates and visions for the country's future, voters are preparing for the results and potential unrest. In recent days, Reuters correspondents spoke to over 50 voters across seven competitive states that will decide the next president. They found an anxious electorate: Worried about the country's future if their preferred candidate loses, fearing trouble from the opposing side, and concerned about deepening political divisions.

Some are turning to religion, yoga, swimming, or weightlifting for solace. Others follow the news closely, while some have turned off their TVs and smartphones to immerse themselves in books or long walks outdoors. "I wish my smartphone was smart enough to know I've already voted," said Lynn Nicholson, 72, a Harris voter in Marietta, Georgia, who finds relief from campaign ads through walking, gardening, and photography. "It's overwhelming."

Todd Harrison, 49, of Canton, Georgia, a pest control specialist leaning toward Trump, has stopped watching sports due to the barrage of political ads. "The closer I get to the election, the madder I get," Harrison said. Many voters fear potential post-election chaos, especially if Trump loses, including lawsuits, demonstrations, and even violence. Trump claims Democrats can only win by cheating, while Harris says she's ready to confront Trump if he prematurely declares victory.

Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, a 57-year-old Harris supporter in Detroit, is concerned about Trump's inflammatory rhetoric. "It's like he's igniting a base of violence in advance," she said. "It's scary." However, Lillian Hall, a 68-year-old former teacher and retail store owner from Hendersonville, North Carolina, and a Trump supporter, fears rioting if Harris loses. "I think there'll be anger like we've not seen yet if Trump wins," Hall said.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll last month found widespread concerns about potential unrest following the election, similar to the 2020 aftermath when Trump's false claims of fraud led to the Capitol storming. About 74% of registered voters in the October 16-21 survey were worried about extremists committing acts of violence if dissatisfied with the results. Democrats were most concerned: 90% agreed, compared to 64% of Republicans and 77% of independents.

A few voters are channeling their anxieties by helping to get out the vote for their candidate. Shirley Easton, an 85-year-old Tucson, Arizona, resident, described her mental state as "scared out of my mind" and has been mailing postcards to persuade people to vote for Harris. Easton fears for her seven granddaughters after the US Supreme Court's 2022 reversal of Roe v. Wade.

Lisa Fields, 60, a marketing professional, traveled from Manhattan to knock on doors for Trump in Delaware County, a critical Philadelphia suburb. She hopes Trump will bring peace to the Middle East and unify the country regardless of the winner. "We need to come together for the greater good. And I'll focus on that the day after," Fields said.

Other voters are trying to disengage from the election as much as possible. Jean Thomson, 63, an executive coach in Marietta, Georgia, who voted for Harris, throws political flyers straight into the trash. "I don’t even look at them," she said, adding she meditates and spends more time in nature to cope with stress.

Not everyone is seeking solace in nature. When the results come in on Tuesday, "I will be watching with my Xanax and my bottle of sauvignon blanc," said Gillian Marshall, a 55-year-old Lyft driver in Scottsdale, Arizona. Marshall, a Democrat who voted for Harris, echoed a sentiment shared across the political spectrum. "I just want this nightmare to be over."

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