When Will the Results of the 2024 US Election Be Announced?

 

When Will the Results of the 2024 US Election Be Announced?

The 2024 US presidential election is set to take place on Tuesday, with voters choosing their next leader. While election results are typically revealed within hours of polls closing, this year’s close race may lead to a longer wait.

When Can We Expect the 2024 Election Results?

Polls across the country will start closing at 6:00 PM EST (11:00 PM GMT) on Tuesday, with the last polls closing at 1:00 AM EST (6:00 AM GMT) on Wednesday. In some past elections, winners have been declared soon after the polls closed, but due to the highly competitive nature of this year’s race, it may take longer for major media outlets to announce a victor.

Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and former Republican President Donald Trump have been neck-and-neck in the polls for weeks. The narrow margins in many states could also lead to recounts and delays. For example, in Pennsylvania, a recount is triggered if the margin of victory is within half a percentage point. In 2020, this margin was just over 1%.

Additionally, legal challenges are already in play, with Republicans filing over 100 lawsuits regarding issues like voter eligibility and election procedures, which could further delay the process.

Another factor contributing to potential delays is the possibility of polling station disruptions or election-related issues at voting locations. However, in some areas like Michigan, vote counting has improved, and fewer mail-in ballots are expected than in the 2020 election, which was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Look Back: How Long Have Previous Elections Taken to Call?

In 2020, the winner of the presidential race wasn’t officially declared until four days after Election Day when Pennsylvania’s results were finalized.

In contrast, the 2016 election was called for Donald Trump just a few hours after polls closed, around 3:00 AM EST (8:00 GMT). Similarly, in 2012, President Barack Obama’s victory was announced on Election Night itself, before midnight.

However, the 2000 election between George W. Bush and Al Gore was an extreme exception, with the final result not decided until five weeks after Election Day. The delay was due to a recount in Florida, which ultimately was halted by the US Supreme Court, allowing Bush to secure the White House.

Key Swing States to Watch in 2024

The election is expected to be decided by a handful of swing states, where both candidates have a strong chance of winning. These states will be crucial in determining the overall result:

• Georgia: Polls close at 7:00 PM EST (12:00 AM GMT). Around 75% of votes are expected to be counted within two hours.
• North Carolina: Polls close at 7:30 PM EST (12:30 AM GMT), with results likely to be announced later that evening.
• Pennsylvania: Voting ends at 8:00 PM EST (1:00 AM GMT). Experts expect it could take at least 24 hours to determine the winner due to the volume of votes.
• Michigan: Polls close at 9:00 PM EST (2:00 AM GMT), with a result not anticipated until the following day.
• Wisconsin: Early results will likely be available soon after polls close at 9:00 PM EST (2:00 AM GMT), but experts predict the state may not have a definitive winner until Wednesday.
• Arizona: Preliminary results may come in as early as 10:00 PM EST (3:00 AM GMT), but full results could take until Wednesday morning, particularly with a significant number of mail-in ballots.
• Nevada: As with Arizona, mail-in ballots could delay the results, with some ballots being accepted as long as they are postmarked by Election Day and arrive by November 9.
  
  
  

How Are Votes Counted?

Votes are typically tallied in stages: first, those cast in-person on Election Day are counted, followed by early and mail-in ballots, and then any provisional ballots.

Election officials at the local level verify each ballot to ensure its legitimacy and check for inconsistencies. Afterward, ballots are processed using electronic scanners, though manual counts may be required in some cases.

Each state has strict rules about the process, including how votes are counted and who can observe the counting. These safeguards ensure the transparency and accuracy of the process.

What Happens if Results Are Contested?

Once the final vote counts are in, the next step is the Electoral College. While winning the popular vote in each state is important, it’s the Electoral College votes that ultimately decide the presidency.

Each state awards a certain number of electors based on its population, and the candidate who secures a majority of these votes (270 out of 538) is declared the winner. After Election Day, electors meet in December to formally cast their votes.

The new US Congress will meet on January 6, 2025, to count the electoral votes and officially confirm the new president.

The events surrounding the 2020 election, including the January 6th Capitol riot and efforts by some Republicans to overturn the results, led to significant electoral reforms. These reforms have made it more difficult for lawmakers to object to certified results, and they have clarified the vice president’s role in the process.

What Happens if There’s a Tie?

A rare but possible scenario is a tie in the Electoral College, where both candidates receive 269 votes. In this case, the decision would be made by the House of Representatives, which would vote to elect the president. Meanwhile, the Senate would vote to elect the vice president.

A tie hasn’t occurred in over 200 years, so while it’s unlikely, it remains a possibility.

Presidential Inauguration: When Will the New President Take Office?

The newly elected president will be inaugurated on January 20, 2025, marking the official beginning of their term in office. This ceremony will take place at the US Capitol, where the president-elect will take an oath to uphold the Constitution and deliver their inaugural address. This will be the 60th presidential inauguration in US history.