On Tuesday, Americans will head to the polls to decide their next president. Unlike some past elections where results were swiftly announced, this year’s close contest may result in a delayed outcome.
When Are the 2024 Presidential Election Results Expected?
The earliest polls close at 6:00 p.m. EST (11:00 p.m. GMT) on Tuesday, with the last polls wrapping up at 1:00 a.m. EST (6:00 a.m. GMT) on Wednesday. In previous elections, a winner was often declared late at night or by early the next morning. However, due to the close race between Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, major media outlets might hold off on declaring a victor until more data is clear.
In states like Pennsylvania, recounts may be required if the margin between the candidates is less than half a percentage point. Legal challenges have already been mounted, with Republicans filing over 100 pre-election lawsuits concerning voter eligibility and roll management.
Factors Influencing Election Night Results
Vote counting has become faster in some areas, particularly in Michigan, and fewer mail-in ballots are expected this year compared to 2020’s pandemic-influenced election.
Timeline of Past Election Results
- In 2020, networks declared Joe Biden the winner four days after Election Day.
- In 2016, Donald Trump was declared the winner shortly before 3:00 a.m. EST.
- In 2012, Barack Obama’s victory was projected by midnight on Election Day.
- The 2000 election between George W. Bush and Al Gore took five weeks to resolve, ending with a Supreme Court decision that concluded the recount in Florida.
Key Swing States to Watch in 2024
The election will likely come down to seven key swing states where both Harris and Trump have strong chances:
- Georgia: Polls close at 7:00 p.m. EST, with around 75% of votes expected within two hours.
- North Carolina: Polls close 30 minutes after Georgia, with results likely by the end of the night.
- Pennsylvania: Voting ends at 8:00 p.m. EST, though it may take 24 hours for a clear picture.
- Michigan: Results aren’t expected until late Wednesday.
- Wisconsin: Smaller counties may report shortly after polls close at 9:00 p.m. EST, but full results may take until Wednesday.
- Arizona: Early results could appear by 10:00 p.m. EST, though larger counties warn of potential delays.
- Nevada: Votes may take days to finalize, with mail-in ballots accepted until November 9.
Vote-Counting Process
Votes cast on Election Day are counted first, followed by early and mail-in ballots. Each ballot is scrutinized for discrepancies, and electronic scanners are used to tally votes. State laws govern who can participate in the count and how votes are verified.
Possible Election Challenges
After the votes are counted, the electoral college process determines the winner, as each state’s votes are awarded to the candidate who wins the popular vote. On January 6, 2025, Congress will meet to confirm the new president.
Following the contentious 2020 election, electoral reforms have been introduced to prevent officials from blocking certified results. Still, there are concerns about potential local and state-level delays in certifying the 2024 election outcome.
Potential for a Tie
If Harris and Trump receive 269 electoral votes each, the House of Representatives would vote to select the president, while the Senate would choose the vice-president.
Inauguration Day
The president-elect will take office on January 20, 2025, marking the 60th presidential inauguration. The new president will take an oath to uphold the Constitution and deliver an inaugural address on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.