Days before millions head to the polls across the US, concerns about post-vote violence mounted in Washington with shops, restaurants and banks taking safety measures.
Businesses near the White House boarded up windows during the summer when the area became a flashpoint for protests that at times turned destructive.
But in recent days, more shops followed suit.
Some, such as a Starbucks near the White House, have signs indicating that they are open, despite boards covering the windows.
The sound of saws, hammers and drills has also been prolific in recent days.
Reports indicate that similar moves are being made in New York City, where demonstrations against racial inequality and police brutality have been common this year.
According to PIX11 News, Macy's covered up several windows in Manhattan "out of an abundance of caution".
There have not been any violent demonstrations in Washington in recent months, but that has not deterred business from preparing for the worst.
What is fuelling the fears and distrust? Legal challenges that would make it more difficult for mail-in and absentee ballots to be counted in Pennsylvania and Minnesota are certainly not helping to raise confidence among the electorate about the integrity of the vote.
US President Donald Trump spent months making false connections between mail-in ballots and voter fraud, thereby encouraging his supporters to question the outcome if he failed to be re-elected.
Mr Trump has been asked many times if he would accept the election results should he lose.
But he has not committed to doing so, raising fears of a prolonged and controversial election.
The election is taking place amid the Covid-19 pandemic, which has killed more than 235,000 in the US, increasing the physical and mental anguish of an already anxious country.
Gallery: The US Election, in pictures
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Dominican Sisters of Hartland, Michigan, listen as US President Donald Trump speaks at a "Make America Great Again" rally at Oakland County International Airport. AFP -
Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee Sen. Kamala Harris speaks to the media during a stop at Buccaneer Park, Miami Gardens, Florida. AFP -
US President Donald Trump speaks at a "Make America Great Again" rally in Newton, Pennsylvania. AFP -
Supporters of US President Donald Trump unfurl a flag reading, "Trump Law and Order" on Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, DC. AFP -
Democratic Presidential Candidate Joe Biden arrives with his granddaughters in Flint, Michigan. AFP -
Supporters of President Donald Trump arrive to a rally in Reading, Pennsylvania. Donald Trump is crossing the crucial state of Pennsylvania in the last few days of campaigning. AFP -
US President Donald Trump speaks at a "Make America Great Again" rally in Newton, Pennsylvania. AFP -
Pedestrians walk past campaign signs for Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden ahead of Election Day near the White House in Washington, D.C.. Reuters -
Democratic U.S. presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden gestures at the airport in Flint, Michigan, U.S. Reuters -
President Donald Trump speaks to supporters as he departs the South Lawn of the White House. AP -
The presidential limousine is seen as U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to hold a campaign event in Newtown, Pennsylvania, U.S. Reuters -
US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. AFP -
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden arrives to board his plane in New Castle, Delaware. AFP -
Voters look over a sample ballot handed to them by a volunteer as they arrive at a polling place in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. AFP -
Wooden boards protect a Starbucks location near the White House in Washington, DC. Many Washington businesses are boarding up windows in preparation for possible election related violence. AFP -
Ron Briggs dresses as George Washington on Halloween to attend a rally with President Donald Trump in Newtown, Pennsylvania. With the election only three days away. AFP -
A poll worker assists a voter on the last day of early in-person voting for the general elections near tape identifying the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections in Cornelius, North Carolina. Reuters
