US Election Results: The United States will hold its presidential election on November 5, marking a critical day in the electoral process. The race is closely contested between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump.
As of Monday, approximately 82 million voters have already participated in early voting, according to the Associated Press.
Polls will close after the voting on November 5, but many are asking when the US election results will be available. Initial results are expected to begin coming in shortly after the polls close at 6 PM (4:30 AM IST) on Tuesday. However, it’s important to note that winning the popular vote does not automatically lead to victory, as the final decision is made by the Electoral College.
US Election Results 2024
The announcement of the winning candidate in the 2024 US elections typically occurs late on election day or early the following day. However, this year’s close race may lead to a longer wait for the final results, according to BBC reports.
In some cases, a projected winner may be declared in one state while counting continues in others. Close margins can also trigger recounts.
As noted by the Associated Press, many states allow recounts when the difference between the top candidates falls within a specific range, such as 0.5 percentage points, even if that margin translates to thousands or tens of thousands of votes. Recounts can significantly extend the timeline for announcing the final results.
Additionally, the outcomes in swing states could contribute to delays in determining the overall winner. It’s essential to remember that the official winner will only be confirmed after considering the electoral votes.
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Electoral College
The Electoral College is the system used to elect the President and Vice President of the United States. It involves voters selecting electors, who then meet to cast their votes for the presidential candidates.
The US Electoral College consists of 538 members. After the US election, these electors convene in their respective state capitals to determine the winner. Each state is allocated a specific number of electors based on its representation in the House of Representatives and Senate.
To win the presidency, a candidate must secure at least 270 electoral votes. Due to the lengthy process of selecting the next president and vice president, the exact timing of the winner’s announcement can often be uncertain.
When Will US Elections Close?
On election day, polling times vary across the United States. The first polls will close at 6 PM EST (4:30 AM IST on Wednesday), while the last polls will close at 1 AM EST (11:30 AM IST on Wednesday), according to BBC reports.
Here are the closing times for key battleground states:
- Pennsylvania: Polls open at 7 AM EST (5:35 PM IST) and close at 8 PM EST (6:30 AM IST on Wednesday).
- Georgia: Polls open at 7 AM EST (5:35 PM IST) and close at 8 PM EST (6:30 AM IST on Wednesday).
- Arizona: Polls open at 8 AM EST (6:30 PM IST) and close at 9 PM EST (7:30 AM IST on Wednesday).
- Wisconsin: Polls open at 8 AM EST (6:30 PM IST) and close at 9 PM EST (7:30 AM IST on Wednesday).
- Michigan: Polls open at 7 AM EST (5:35 PM IST) and close at 8 PM EST (6:30 AM IST on Wednesday).
- Nevada: Polls open at 9 AM EST (7:30 PM IST) and close at 7 PM EST (5:30 AM IST on Wednesday).
- North Carolina: Polls open at 6:30 AM EST (5:00 PM IST) and close at 7:30 PM EST (6:00 AM IST on Wednesday).
Announcement of Previous US Election Results
In the last presidential US election, held on November 3, 2020, Joe Biden was not declared the winner until late November 7. According to a BBC report, the announcement came after clearer results emerged from Pennsylvania.
In contrast, there have been instances where the winner was declared much sooner. For example, Donald Trump was announced as the winner by the Associated Press on election night in 2016. Similarly, Barack Obama’s victory in 2012 was reported before midnight on election day as he secured a second term.
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US Election Results 2024 FAQs
Q.1. When will the polls close for the 2024 US election?
Ans. US elections will close at varying times, with the first closing at 6 PM EST and the last at 1 AM EST on November 6.
Q.2. What is the Electoral College?
Ans. The Electoral College is the system used to elect the President and Vice President, where voters choose electors who cast votes based on state representation.
Q.3. How many electoral votes are needed to win?
Ans. A candidate must secure at least 270 electoral votes to be declared the winner of the presidency.
Q.4. When will the election results be announced?
Ans. Initial results are expected to start coming in shortly after polls close at 6 PM EST, but final results may take longer due to recounts and close races.
Q.5. What happens if the vote margin is close?
Ans. If the margin between candidates is within a specific range, states may initiate recounts, which can delay the final announcement of results.
