How Democrats in Philadelphia watched the US election slip away

Throughout election day, reports came in of record turnout across Philadelphia, the largest and traditionally Democratic city in the key swing-state of Pennsylvania. Democrats were buoyed by the news, especially the reported record numbers of Hispanic voters – particularly Puerto Ricans. Republicans were clearly anxious.

In a post on his platform Truth Social early that evening, Donald Trump alleged “MASSIVE CHEATING” across the city, claiming that law enforcement was on its way. Local officials immediately refuted the allegations.

Half an hour before Pennsylvania’s polls closed, Euronews headed to Huntingdon, a relatively poor neighbourhood in northern Philadelphia with a large Puerto Rican population. Democratic officials were telling voters to “stay in line” past closing time to ensure everyone who had turned out could get their chance to vote.

The polling station was a community centre, harshly lit from the girders of an elevated trainline. It was empty save for one 60-year-old man, Angel, a transport inspector who previously served as a state police officer in Puerto Rico. He was wearing a bright red cap emblazoned with the words: “Trump-Vance 2024”.

“Only 150 people have come here to vote, and I’ve been here all day,” he said, telling Euronews he was “helping people to vote.”

Angel was positive about Trump’s chances, although he conceded that the sight of a comedian at a Trump rally calling Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage” would likely put off a number of Hispanic voters. Nonetheless, he was standing by Trump.

“You know, Trump didn’t say it. It was his rally, but he didn’t say it,” he reasoned.

In the final 30 minutes the polls were open, just one voter turned out at Angel’s location: Ijanae, an African-American