Here's What D.C. Looks Like During The 2024 Election

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Happy totally normal Election Day! As the US waits to find out whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump will be president, some cities are enacting extra security measures in case of any potential civil unrest.

One such place is the nation's capital, Washington, DC. Police Chief Pamela Smith said in a statement that an "enhanced police presence" would be in the city with officers working at least 12-hour shifts. "I want to be very clear: We will not tolerate any violence of any kind,” she said. “We will not tolerate any riots. We will not tolerate the destruction of property. We will not tolerate any unlawful behavior. Offenders will be arrested and will be held accountable."

So, here are some pictures of what DC looks like right now:

1. Firstly, many local businesses — especially those near the White House — have elected to cover their windows in plywood.

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2. The places are still open and operational despite the vibe of the city appearing, as one visitor put it, "dystopian."

3. One local business owner cited Jan. 6 as a reason why they turned their restaurant into a "fortress."

4. Of course, not everyone is a fan, with another DC resident telling local news that he didn't think all the preparation was "necessary."

5. Even the post office was boarded up:

6. There's also security fencing being erected around specific areas, like Lafayette Square in front of the White House:

7. Here's another shot of the White House:

8. A reminder that this is DC, a city with a lot of existing security:

9. The Treasury Department faced a similar treatment:

10. As did Howard University, where Harris will be spending her election night:

11. Meaning that construction on the campaign election stage began on Sunday:

Well, here's your final reminder: Go out and vote!

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