US Election Timeline: When Will We Know Who Won?
On Tuesday, November 5, Americans will head to the polls for the 2024 presidential election. Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump have been running a close race, with national and swing state polls tightening as Election Day approaches. Given narrow margins in critical states, the outcome may not be immediately clear, potentially requiring recounts and leading to a delay in the final result. Polls will start closing at 6 pm EST and will continue until 1 am EST, with initial results emerging from states like Georgia and North Carolina around 7 pm. Poll closures will continue, with key states like Pennsylvania closing at 8 pm, Michigan and Arizona at 9 pm, and Nevada at 10 pm. Although results might begin rolling in, the outcome could remain uncertain if the race is tight, and swing states could take extra time to report complete counts. Vote counting will follow a structured process, starting with Election Day ballots, then early and mail-in votes, and finally overseas ballots. Though 2024 may see faster counts than 2020 due to reduced mail-in voting, recounts and legal challenges could prolong the wait. Tight races, especially in swing states like Pennsylvania and Georgia, might trigger automatic recounts or lawsuits, adding to the delay. In 2020, the results weren’t confirmed until four days later, on November 7, and similarly, the timeline for this election will depend on how close the final tallies are. If either candidate challenges the outcome, it could extend the timeline further. States must certify their results, and any disputes over them would need to be settled before the Electoral College meets on December 17. The official electoral vote count will take place on January 6, 2025, when Congress meets in a joint session. However, reforms since 2020 limit Congress's power to overturn certified state results and clarify that the vice president cannot reject electoral votes. Despite this, both campaigns remain on alert, with potential challenges possible at the state and local levels. Ultimately, the winner will be sworn in on January 20, 2025, marking the 60th presidential inauguration.
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For more than 100 years, media tried to be the first to report presidential election results. Though that urge still exists, pundits and analysts are now more concerned with accuracy than speed.
