US Election Results 2024: A Complete Guide to Key Dates and When to Expect the Final Outcome

US Election Results 2024: The United States is gearing up to choose its next president with Election Day set for November 5, 2024. Voters across the nation will cast their final ballots to decide whether Democrat Kamala Harris or Republican Donald Trump will take office. Already, over 77 million Americans have participated in early voting, as reported by the Associated Press. However, the precise timing of the final results remains uncertain due to varying state-level procedures and potential legal challenges.

When Will Voting End in the 2024 US Election?

Polling stations across the country will close at different times due to time zone differences. The earliest polls will close at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Tuesday (4:30 a.m. IST on Wednesday), and the last polls will close at 1:00 a.m. EST (11:30 a.m. IST) on Wednesday. The swing states, which are critical in determining the final result, will close their polls throughout the night. Here is an approximate timeline of when polls are expected to close in major states:

• 7:00 p.m. EST (5:30 a.m. IST, Wednesday): Polls close in Georgia and five other states, including partial closings in two additional states. News outlets may start calling winners in states with predictable outcomes, like Kentucky.
• 7:30 p.m. EST (6:00 a.m. IST, Wednesday): Voting ends in North Carolina and two other states.
• 8:00 p.m. EST (6:30 a.m. IST, Wednesday): Polls close in key battleground state Pennsylvania, along with 15 other states and the District of Columbia. Michigan and several other states close partially at this time.
• 9:00 p.m. EST (7:30 a.m. IST, Wednesday): Voting ends in Michigan and other states, including Arizona and Wisconsin.
• 10:00 p.m. EST (8:00 a.m. IST, Wednesday): Nevada and several additional states close voting, concluding the major rounds of polling.

When Will We Know the Winner of the US Election 2024?

Historically, the United States presidential election results may be projected on election night or early the next morning, but in recent years, the process has taken longer. While many states report results within hours, certain swing states—such as Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—might need additional time if the vote is close.

In cases where the race is too close, recounts and legal reviews could extend the announcement. For instance, in 2020, Joe Biden was declared the projected winner four days after Election Day, while some states, like Georgia, required hand recounts, delaying final confirmations. In 2016, Donald Trump was declared the winner shortly after most polls closed.

Understanding the Difference: Popular Vote vs. Electoral College

The initial count, known as the popular vote, represents the direct ballots cast by citizens. However, the US president is officially elected through the Electoral College. Each state has a set number of electors proportional to its representation in Congress, totaling 538 electors. To win, a candidate must secure a minimum of 270 electoral votes. Although the popular vote count provides an early indicator of the leading candidate, the formal Electoral College vote occurs in mid-December, with electors meeting in their respective states to confirm their votes.

Congress officially counts these votes on January 6, finalizing the president-elect’s status, and the new president is inaugurated on January 20.

Conclusion: Will Election Results Be Immediate?

While the US election day is November 5, expect potential delays in the final outcome, particularly if swing states experience close results or recounts. However, barring any extensive legal proceedings, most projections will likely be available by the morning of November 6, with official certification following in January.