America is holding its breath as more than 240 million voters are called on Tuesday to decide between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in what both sides are billing as a historic election. At the end of a vitriolic campaign, the polling institutes give the candidates neck-and-neck in the seven pivotal states, and stress that the level of participation of their respective electorates will be decisive. In 2020, 158 million Americans turned out to vote. This year, more than 77 million Americans cast their ballots in advance, either by mailing them in, placing them in a ballot box on a public street, or visiting a polling station.

While initial results are expected Tuesday evening in some states, the name of the future tenant of the White House may not be known for several days. During this period, the authorities are determined to prevent any repetition of the…