'A little nervous' - election fears grow in Washington DC

Washington DC is preparing for what appears to be the tightest election in American history.

Fears are growing in the nation's capital over what happens after voting day and for the future of the country.

Over the weekend, workers boarded up some businesses as the city prepares for potential violence and vandalism in the wake of the election.

The area in and around the White House is getting harder and harder to access while the vice president's residence has also been fenced off.

Those who are living in Washington are even mentally preparing for what could come down the tracks after such a contentious and gruelling election.

"Washington DC is such a place of politics that it is always abuzz with activity. A lot of people are tired," said Very Reverend Randy Hollerith.

Reverend Randy is the Dean of the Washington National Cathedral - a place steeped in politics.

It has hosted four funerals of former US presidents and Martin Luther King JR had his final Sunday sermon there before he was assassinated.

To help people cope with the stress and anxiety associated with the election, Reverend Randy said that the cathedral is opening its doors for special prayers and meditation on election day.

"There will be clergy in the building praying out loud, non-stop. The goal is to be able to walk in, welcome in anyone and everyone who would like to have a place of prayer... who may feel anxious, who may feel frightened, who may just want a place of quiet," he said.

"We'll be praying for the nation. We'll be praying for the safety of our elections. We'll be praying for peace among people who disagree. We'll be praying for better understanding between Americans of different points of view. All of the things that try to hold us together. As a country that we think are so important, regardless of who gets elected," he added.

One of those attending service at the cathedral said she was nervous about the unpredictability of the next few days.

"I think DC has pretty much felt like a safe haven in the midst of all the craziness, up until 6 January. I'm a little nervous in the next few days. Who's going to be in town? What's going to be the reaction on Tuesday night? I'm kind of, like, I'm hopeful. But at the same time uncertain," said Maira Alejandra who was visiting from Florida.

There is concern that Donald Trump may declare victory this week whether he wins or loses.

Experts believe he is laying the groundwork to undermine the election by claiming the polls are being rigged in Pennsylvania and the Democrats are trying to 'steal' the election.

His comments are against a backdrop of recent polling form the New York Times that said that voters are deeply sceptical about the health of American democracy.

Nearly half of respondents said American democracy does not do a good job representing the people, and three-quarters say it is under threat.

Some of those having some downtime at O'Kelly's Irish Bar in the city feel like the country has a lot of work to do.

"I think what would need to happen in the future is that everybody would need to talk to each other instead of going through different filters of information that they're fed," said Thomas Gibson from North Carolina.

Others believe it is part of a cycle.

"I mean it's a relatively young country but there's been periods like this in the past, like the Jim Crow times or the Civil War. I think [people] will emerge from it," said Pat Beirne from Wisconsin.

Whatever the reason for the great divide, residents and visitors will be praying for the nation in the nation’s capital tomorrow.