US Election 2024 Live Updates: In the closely contested 2024 US presidential election, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are in a tight race as 160 million registered voters head to the polls today. Both Democratic and Republican candidates are ramping up their last-minute efforts to sway undecided voters in key swing states.
Recent polling indicates a close contest across several crucial states. Vice President Kamala Harris leads nationally and holds an edge in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Nevada, though her lead in Pennsylvania has narrowed. Meanwhile, Trump remains ahead in Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina.
When Will US Election Results 2024 Be Announced?
Today, November 5, Americans will cast their votes to select their next president. Will it be Democrat Kamala Harris or Republican Donald Trump? Over 77 million people have already participated in early voting. The last votes will be cast as polling stations close on Tuesday night.
The results timeline, however, remains uncertain, as each state has its own ballot-counting rules and may encounter delays, potentially turning Election Day into "election week."
How Soon Will We Know the 2024 US Election Outcome?
In most cases, vote counting begins as soon as polling closes in each state. A candidate is typically declared the popular vote winner after counting concludes. However, some states may project winners even while other states are still voting.
Many expect the next president’s identity to be clear by late election night or early the next morning. Most states are predictable in their results, announcing soon after the close of voting. But swing states—key in determining the overall outcome—may take longer to call, potentially delaying final results.
While a winner may be projected soon after election day, the official president-elect is confirmed only after electoral votes are counted.
When Will Polling End in the US Elections?
The first polling stations in the US are set to close at 6:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday (4:30 a.m. IST Wednesday), with the last closing at 1:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday. Here’s a quick look at the expected poll closure times in critical swing states:
If swing states remain close, counting may extend beyond Wednesday.
When Will the US Election Winner Be Known?
The exact timing of the final result is uncertain. A winner may be declared on election night, the following morning, or even days later. In tightly contested swing states—such as Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—the narrow margins could lead to recounts, which could extend the timeline.
What Happens After the Election Winner Is Declared?
When a winner is projected on election night or soon after, they are not officially the president-elect until electoral votes are counted. The Electoral College comprises 538 electors, and a candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes to win. This process, called the electoral vote, can sometimes differ from the popular vote, where a candidate wins more overall ballots but falls short in the Electoral College.
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