While Election Day is set for November 5, the process of determining the next president will likely stretch into the following days, as results trickle in and states complete their counts.
22nd October 2024
Digital Worldwide News
The U.S. election is fast approaching, with the official polling day set for Tuesday, November 5, 2024. This year's race for the White House is shaping up to be one of the most consequential and historically unique in modern times.
Election Day: November 5, 2024
Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, will face Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in what promises to be a tightly contested battle. After a turbulent campaign season, Joe Biden bowed out of the race, leaving Harris to take up the mantle following Biden’s first disastrous debate against Trump.
But Election Day is not just about the presidency. In addition to voting for the next leader of the country, Americans will also elect Congressional candidates, including all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 33 Senate seats.
Key Battleground States: The Road to the White House
In the complex U.S. electoral system, not all states carry the same weight. Some states referred to as "battleground states," hold significant sway over the final results due to their fluctuating political affiliations.
Pennsylvania, a state with 19 electoral college votes, is expected to once again play a pivotal role. The state’s importance was made clear in the 2020 election when it delivered the decisive votes for Joe Biden.
Trump will also need to secure victories in other critical battleground states, including Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Nevada, all of which Biden narrowly carried in 2020.
While Florida and Ohio were once considered up for grabs, they have leaned heavily Republican in recent elections. However, with political landscapes constantly shifting, surprises could still emerge.
Early Voting: Already Underway
Though the official Election Day is set for November 5, millions of Americans are casting their votes early. Some states have already begun early in-person voting and mail-in voting, allowing citizens to make their voices heard ahead of time.
Alabama kicked off early voting with mail-in ballots as early as September 11. Here's a timeline for early voting across the U.S.:
September 11 – Alabama
September 19 – Wisconsin
September 20 – Minnesota, South Dakota, Virginia
September 21 – North Carolina (and military/overseas ballots)
September 23 – Mississippi
September 26 – Michigan
September 30 – Nebraska
October 7 – Georgia
October 9 – Arizona
October 15-21 – Georgia, Nevada, Texas, Wisconsin, Michigan
With early voting in full swing, turnout could be higher than in previous elections as more people take advantage of the opportunity to vote by mail or vote early in person.
Election Day: What to Expect on November 5
On Election Day, voters across the country will head to the polls to cast their ballots. However, many will have already participated through early voting, either by mail or in person.
When the polls close across the country, votes will be tallied. Polling times vary by state, with most states beginning to close their polls at 7 p.m. local time. Given the span of multiple time zones, East Coast ballots will be counted first, while voters in the West, including Alaska and Hawaii, may still be casting their votes.
When Do We Expect Results?
In previous elections, there have been delays in officially projecting a winner, and this year may be no different. In 2020, Joe Biden was declared the winner four days after Election Day, once Pennsylvania's crucial results were confirmed. Pennsylvania’s 20 electoral votes pushed Biden over the 270 needed to win the presidency.
However, it’s important to remember that even after projections, the official results are not finalized for several weeks. States have to certify their results, and this process can take time, especially in closely contested states.
Despite this, the media typically calls the election long before the final votes are officially counted. In 2016, Hillary Clinton conceded the race to Donald Trump the morning after Election Day, even though the official count was still ongoing.
Key Deadlines Leading Up to Inauguration
After Election Day, a series of important deadlines will take place leading up to the inauguration of the next U.S. president.
December 16, 2024 – The Electoral College meets to cast its official votes for president.
January 6, 2025 – Congress counts the electoral votes and declares the official winner.
January 20, 2025 – Inauguration Day, where the new president is officially sworn into office.
The Unpredictability of Election Night
While history provides some clues about how this year’s election may unfold, unpredictability remains a key feature of U.S. elections. Factors such as voter turnout, legal challenges, and potential recounts could influence how long it takes to declare a winner.
In some states, recounts are automatically triggered if the margin of victory falls below a certain threshold, typically 0.5%. Given the slim margins in key battleground states, recounts could once again be a factor in determining the final outcome.
How Does the Electoral College Work?
The U.S. does not directly elect its president through a popular vote. Instead, the outcome is determined by the Electoral College system, where each state is assigned a certain number of electoral votes based on its population.
In total, there are 538 electoral votes up for grabs. To win the presidency, a candidate needs to secure at least 270 of these votes.
While most states allocate their electoral votes on a winner-take-all basis, Maine and Nebraska use a proportional system that awards votes by congressional district.
The Role of Swing States
Due to the winner-take-all system, most attention is focused on swing states – states that could go either way in the election. These states are often highly contested, with both parties pouring resources into securing a victory.
As in previous elections, battleground states like Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Nevada will likely be decisive in determining the 2024 outcome. Candidates will spend much of their time and money campaigning in these areas, hoping to sway undecided voters.
What Will This Election Mean for the U.S.?
With Trump and Harris vying for the presidency, the 2024 election could mark a turning point in American politics. The election will not only determine who will lead the country for the next four years but also shape the future of key policy areas, including healthcare, immigration, and the economy.
This year's election comes amid a politically polarized climate, with both parties rallying their bases to turn out in record numbers.
As November 5 approaches, all eyes will be on the U.S. as the world watches to see which direction the country will take. Will voters stick with Trump, or will Kamala Harris make history as the first female president?