There is the ongoing presidential battle between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump for U.S. Election Results in 2024, and going by the trends, it is very tight. When the poll ends in states across the country, millions of voters as well as the global population stay keenly waiting to know who will be the president of the United States of America in the next four years. Nevertheless, again, because of the several processes involved in the election, such as the Electoral College, and recounts, and because the laws in all the states differ in terms of election laws, the completion of the results might even take more than election night.
Here is what you might find and when one betting portal will be better than the other.
U.S. Election Results 2024 Timeline and What to Expect
| Event | Expected Time (EST) | Expected Time (IST) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Poll Closures | 6:00 PM on Tuesday, Nov 5 | 4:30 AM on Wednesday, Nov 6 | Polls close in states with early closing times, and initial vote counts will start coming in. |
| Swing State Closures | Between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM on Nov 5 | Between 5:30 AM and 7:30 AM IST | Polls close in critical swing states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Arizona, where vote counts will play a pivotal role in the results. |
| Last Poll Closures | 1:00 AM on Wednesday, Nov 6 | 11:30 AM on Wednesday, Nov 6 | Final polls close on the West Coast, and by this time, most states are counting votes, with some initial projections possible. |
| Projections of Popular Vote | Late Night Nov 5 / Early Morning Nov 6 | Depends on state counting times | Popular vote results start emerging, but the final winner depends on Electoral College votes, which may take additional time. |
| Potential Recount Trigger | Depends on the state counting times | Varies by state | If margins are very close (usually within 0.5%), automatic or requested recounts may delay results in some states. |
| Electoral College Vote | December 16, 2024 | N/A | The final, official Electoral College vote that solidifies the winner. |
Factors Affecting the 2024 Election Results
- Electoral College vs. Popular Vote
Unlike most countries, the United States does not elect its presidents based on the total votes cast in the election. A candidate has to gain 270 out of 538 electoral votes to win. This system ensures that it is possible for a candidate who garners lots of votes to end up not being the president, especially where they lose the important states that attract high electoral numbers. - Potential for Recounts
When the competition is fairly close, let alone in key states, the recount becomes mandatory any time the victory margin is narrow. For instance, where the difference between the two candidates is 0.5% or less, there could be a recount. This could delay the date of certification of results since recounts delay the process of tallying the results. - Swing State Delays
Some of these are still swing states, including Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Arizona, which usually determine the election. Due to the amount of attention paid throughout the world, these states may take time to release their vote totals. Additionally, some of the states process the mail-in votes after the election day, meaning that they might take a long time to release a result. - Electoral College Certification
After state results are certified, there is the electoral college system used. Also, the electors convene in mid-December to vote for the president and vice president, further confirming the results. It makes the process very accurate, although it is carried out several weeks after the election day.
Read the guide to the entire U.S. election process, from voting to final results.
Recent History of Election Announcements
In the previous election held in 2020, Joe Biden was declared the winner on November 7, four days after the general election took place on November 3. This delay was largely due to the use of mail-in ballots and the close voting margins in swing states. In contrast, on election night, Donald Trump was announced as president-elect of the United States by a less aggregated polling margin.
| Year | Election Date | Winner Announced | Delay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | November 3 | November 7 | Four days due to close state margins and mail-in ballot counts. |
| 2016 | November 8 | November 8 | The same day, announced shortly before midnight. |
| 2012 | November 6 | November 6 | Same day, announced shortly before midnight. |
State Wise Election Closing Times
Here is the list of the closing times of some of the most competitive states in the US. Remember that a high number of votes could already come from early voting and absentee ballots, but the official declaration of results will start after the polls.
| State | Poll Opening (EST) | Poll Closing (EST) | Poll Closing (IST) | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 7:00 AM | 8:00 PM | 6:30 AM IST | Key swing state with a history of tight margins; counts take time. |
| Georgia | 7:00 AM | 8:00 PM | 6:30 AM IST | Another crucial battleground; recounts often triggered in close races. |
| Arizona | 8:00 AM | 9:00 PM | 7:30 AM IST | Historically close margins; significant for both parties. |
| Wisconsin | 8:00 AM | 9:00 PM | 7:30 AM IST | A key state in recent elections with a track record of razor-thin margins. |
| Michigan | 7:00 AM | 8:00 PM | 6:30 AM IST | Often a determining factor in the Midwest voting block. |
| Nevada | 9:00 AM | 7:00 PM | 5:30 AM IST | A smaller state but crucial for reaching the 270 electoral votes. |
| North Carolina | 6:30 AM | 7:30 PM | 6:00 AM IST | Known for close results and a history of recounts. |
In this crucial election, voting is about more than policies; it’s about values. As Michelle Obama highlights, a vote for Kamala Harris stands for women’s rights in states like Michigan, where these rights are actively defended.
Michelle Obama
In Summary
People are waiting nervously for the 2024 US election to be finalized, but with the system of the Electoral College, there may be a need for recounts. There are four key factors that I expect to largely determine when the announcement will be made: Contests are still ongoing; stay tuned for the forecast, but note that the formal outcome, fortified by the Electoral College system, can take until December.
For further, more up-to-the-minute coverage plus results links to state vote counting and Electoral College data, turn to the various news stations and official election websites.
