(VOVworld)-The US  is facing  a historic moment as voters cast their ballots to elect either the first  female president in history or an ultimate political outsider.

Early voting in San Diego County polling station, San Diego City (Photo: Reuters)

The 2016 Presidential Election is  viewed by some as the most dramatic in the history of US politics because the two candidates, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump, are opposite in their policies. Both are beset by personal scandals.

Candidates with conflicting policies

The gap between the two candidates has narrowed as voting day nears. During her campaign, Clinton, a former Secretary of State, has consistently supported the policies of Barack Obama’s administration, including tightening gun control, extending healthcare to all Americans (Obamacare), protecting Muslim migrants through reform of immigration law, a path to citizenship for some undocumented residents, and opposing the mass deportation of all illegal migrants.

An experienced diplomat, Clinton intends to boost relations with long-time allies and establish new ties, which she said is the best way to protect the US’s long-term interests and enhance its stature globally.

Billionaire Donald Trump is known for is shocking statements like asking US allies to pay for the US’s protection of their security, threatening to repatriate illegal immigrants and build a high wall along the border with Mexico. Trump gives top priority to economic development to make the US stronger. He advocates trade protection, opposes free trade, and plans to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), and roll back most of Obama’s executive orders, and cut the corporate tax rate to 15%.

Bids to win electoral votes

All eyes are on election activities in a handful of undecided states. Trump needs to win in Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. If he loses 2 out of the 3 states of Florida, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, Hillary will win. In any scenario, Trump needs to win in the usually reliable Republican stronghold of Arizona, where both candidates are now in a tight race. Polls begin closing across the country at 6 p.m. Eastern time. In-person voting will finish at 1 a.m. Eastern time Wednesday on the western islands of Alaska.