When Will We Know the Winner of the US Presidential Election?
On November 5, American voters head to the polls to select their next president. Historically, election outcomes have sometimes been announced just hours after polls close, but this year’s close contest could delay results.
When Will the 2024 Election Results Be Announced?
In some past elections, winners have been declared by late election night or early the following morning. However, due to tight races in several states, media outlets may hold off on projecting a winner. This year’s race features Democrat Kamala Harris, the current vice-president, running against Republican Donald Trump, the former president. Polls show them neck-and-neck, suggesting a longer wait for definitive results.
If the margins are especially close, recounts may be necessary. For example, in Pennsylvania—a key swing state—a recount would automatically occur if the vote difference is within half a percentage point. During the 2020 election, this state played a pivotal role, with results finalizing days later due to a close 1.1 percentage-point margin.
Potential Delays and Legal Challenges
With over 100 pre-election lawsuits filed—mainly focused on voter eligibility and registration—legal disputes could slow the final outcome. Any disruptions at polling sites could add further delays. Despite these challenges, changes in vote-counting protocols have accelerated the process in states like Michigan, and fewer mail-in ballots are expected this year compared to the 2020 election.
Key Times to Watch on Election Night
Polls close across the country at various times, and early results may give a preliminary sense of each candidate’s standing. However, any pattern seen in early results could be misleading due to the so-called “red mirage,” where early Republican leads shift as urban, often Democratic-leaning, votes are tallied later.
Here’s a breakdown of key poll closure times and expectations:
- 19:00 EST: Polls close in Georgia and several other states. First projections may start in less competitive areas.
- 20:00 EST: Polls close in Pennsylvania and multiple other states, where early counts could reveal trends.
- 21:00 EST: Voting ends in Arizona, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Michigan’s early counting measures could speed up results, but Pennsylvania and Wisconsin may face delays as they cannot count votes until election day.
- 22:00 EST: Nevada’s polls close. The state allows mail-in ballots to be counted as long as they are postmarked by election day and received by November 9, which could prolong the count.
Absentee and military ballots are usually among the last to be counted, adding a potential final swing in tight races.
How Votes Are Counted
Votes are tallied in a structured process. Election officials verify and count ballots using electronic scanners, with manual counting used in specific situations. Each state follows strict rules to ensure accuracy, including safeguards for observers to monitor the process.
What If There’s a Dispute?
Once all votes are counted, the electoral college system determines the president. States typically award their electoral votes based on popular vote results, which must be certified by each state before the electoral college meets on December 17. Congress then formally counts the electoral votes on January 6, 2025.
In 2020, this certification process saw controversy when then-President Trump urged supporters to challenge the outcome. Changes since then have made it more difficult to object to certified results and clarified that the vice president cannot unilaterally reject electoral votes.
Inauguration Day
The winner of the 2024 election will be sworn in on January 20, 2025, in the 60th presidential inauguration at the US Capitol. After taking the oath to uphold the Constitution, the new president will deliver an inaugural address, officially beginning their term.
As America watches this close race unfold, all eyes will be on the swing states, recount processes, and any potential legal hurdles, with hopes for a clear decision in the days following November 5.
