Emma Vardy
Reporting from Arizona

If you need to be reminded of the immense global interest in this election, know that in Maricopa County, Arizona, there are 600 media credentials being handed out.

The eyes of the world are on Arizona because it is a swing state, but also because it has become “ground zero” for conspiracy theories during the 2020 elections. Armed protesters gathered outside the Maricopa County counting center and election officials were threatened and intimidated.

Claims by Donald Trump and his supporters that the election was rigged spread from Arizona across America, culminating in the January 6, 2021 riots at the Capitol.

This time, security has been significantly increased.

“We continue to prepare for everything, we can’t predict everything,” said Sheriff Russ Skinner.

“The last thing our community needs is for people to be afraid to vote.

“We’ve seen this division, this problem across the country. Hopefully 2024 will set a different precedent.”

But suggestions of a rigged vote in 2024 have already been made in the months leading up to Election Day, by Trump and his supporters, so the idea that they will simply accept the Arizona result if it doesn’t suit them not could be wishful thinking.