In these times of Covid-19 when the handshake is prohibited, the US presidential election offers a nice nod: outgoing President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Joe Biden remain neck and neck the day after the vote.

For the first time in recent United States history, no winner has emerged from the evening of November 3, the fault of the weight of the postal vote.

In a handful of key states, counting has to go on for many more hours or even days.

It was in this climate of uncertainty that Chicago woke up on the morning of November 4.

The townspeople look weary of those who have stayed up late hoping to know the name of their president for the next four years.

While tapping frantically on their cellphones hoping to see the results for Michigan or Pennsylvania fall, they try to fight against the lack of sleep with huge cups of coffee.

>> To read also: In Wilmington, stronghold of Joe Biden, the unbearable wait

"I watched all night. My wife ended up forcing me to go to bed. After a while, I ended up complying because it became clear that we would not have the results," explains Ken, 38, on his way to his office.

"It's frustrating but at the same time we expected it."

"I think the Democrats will win in the end. The votes that remain to be counted are mostly postal votes which are normally favorable to them," hopes the IT manager at an insurance company.

Others try to manage their stress as best they can.

Just like Jenny, who lets off steam with a jog along the Chicago River.

A way to relieve the tension before joining the office: "I try to assimilate what is happening. Nothing better than running to clear your head", smiles the young woman.

"I hope whoever wins will bring the country together a bit more. 2020 has been a crazy year, we have to stick together."

The marketing analyst fears above all a new explosion of violence in the city of Chicago, like those that broke out late but after the death of George Floyd at the hands of the police, and in mid-August when a youth was killed by local police.

The barricaded Trump Tower

In the days leading up to the election, Chicago braced for the worst.

The shops in the city center are barricaded.

The city police canceled the leave of its officers to be able to be present in force in the streets.

The rumor has long circulated that the bridges would be raised to limit movement.

Finally, only the one leading to the local Trump Tower was noted.

On this morning of November 4, the area was still carefully cordoned off.

"I am convinced that they avoided announcing too quickly results to avoid a wave of riots in the country in the middle of the night," said John Swift.

"Nobody wants to start a riot during the day."

Construction helmet on his head, the worker is on his way to work.

He cares very little about the slow vote count.

Besides, he did not vote this time.

He explains: "I am from Indiana and I have the impression that my vote does not count there. We know that the state will be red [Republican, Editor's note] whatever happens" , explains John.

>> To read also: Nebraska: hard to be a Democrat in Trumpist lands

The electoral college: "an anachronism"?

"I think it would be fair to get rid of the Electoral College. It would make everyone feel like their vote really matters. Currently, when I vote for my mayor or my representative, I feel like my vote account whereas for the presidential, Indiana is always red, "he laments.

Indeed, technically, thanks to the electoral college system, Americans do not elect their president.

This task is devolved to the 538 electors who vote according to the results in their state.

And, in most cases, "winner takes all": the grand voters of a state all go to the same candidate even if the latter has won only with one vote.

Example in Illinois: the majority of counties vote Republicans but the demographic weight of Chicago offers this state on a plateau to the Democrats. 

As a result, candidates focus their resources and strategy on a small number of key states that can tip the election to one side or the other, abandoning party-vested sectors, contributing some voters. like John to feel ignored.

Only Maine and Nebraska also rely on district election results to distribute part of their vote.

"I do not think there is a problem with the electoral college. It has its virtues and it makes sense for our country", defends Joe, statistician, crossed near the Trump Tower, a cap of the Chicago Bulls screwed on the head.

The founding fathers feared that the less populous states would not have a sufficient say in the election of the president.

In comparison with universal suffrage, the electoral college makes it possible to compensate for the weight of the most populous States.

"The Electoral College must go. It was set up centuries ago to give more weight to the most isolated places," denounces Ken, "It has become an anachronism."

The delay in the results could well resurface the debates on a reform of it.

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