When will the new US president be announced?

Voters will be eagerly waiting for the results of the US presidential race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

US election dates: When is polling and results?

The 2024 US presidential election will take place on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Donald Trump faces off against Kamala Harris after incumbent President Joe Biden withdrew from the race following a difficult first debate against Trump, leading to a reshaped contest.

In addition to electing a president, voters will also be selecting Congressional candidates for seats in the House of Representatives and the US Senate.

Key battleground states

The path to the White House runs through several pivotal battleground states, which often have tight margins between Democratic and Republican candidates. Pennsylvania, with its 19 electoral college votes, has been a vital state in recent elections and is expected to be critical again in 2024.

Trump will need to win over states such as Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Nevada, which Biden narrowly won in 2020.

Florida and Ohio, historically competitive, have recently solidified as Republican strongholds, although the election outcome remains uncertain.

The first polls in the 2024 presidential election will close at 6:00 PM EST (22:00 GMT) on election day, with the last polls closing at 1:00 AM EST (05:00 GMT) the following day. The race is anticipated to hinge on results from seven crucial swing states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

• 7:00 PM EST (11:00 GMT): Polls close in Georgia and five other states, with early calls likely in less competitive states like Kentucky.
• 7:30 PM EST (11:30 GMT): Polls close in North Carolina, where Kamala Harris aims to change a losing trend for Democrats.
• 8:00 PM EST (00:00 GMT): Polls close in Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, and several other states.
• 9:00 PM EST (01:00 GMT): Voting ends in Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin, and 12 additional states.
• 10:00 PM EST (02:00 GMT): Polls close in Nevada and two other states.

What happens on election day?

Photo: Reuters

On election day, the majority of voters will head to polling places to cast their ballots. A significant number may have already voted early or through mail-in ballots.

Votes cast on election day are typically counted first, followed by early and mail-in ballots, challenged votes, and those from overseas and military voters. Local election officials verify, process, and count individual votes in a process known as canvassing.

This involves comparing the number of votes cast with the number of active voters, checking for damages on ballots, and documenting any discrepancies. Votes are counted using electronic scanners, although some circumstances may require manual counts.

Every state has specific rules dictating the participation in the canvass, the processing order of votes, and public monitoring of the counting process.

What time does polling end?

Photo: Reuters

Polling times vary by state, generally closing around 7 PM local time. Due to different time zones, counting will begin in states on the East Coast while voters in places like Alaska and Hawaii are still voting.

When do we get the election results?

The winner of the election may not be officially projected for several days. However, states typically call results well before all votes are counted.

Voters generally expect to know the winner of the presidential election by the time they go to bed late on election night or at least in the early morning hours of the following day.

For instance, in 2020, Biden's victory was confirmed four days post-election after Pennsylvania's results were finalised. In 2016, Donald Trump was declared the winner shortly before 3:00 AM EST (08:00 GMT) the day after the election. In 2012, Barack Obama’s victory was projected before midnight on polling day itself.

However, a notable exception was the 2000 election between George W. Bush and Al Gore. The contentious contest in Florida was not resolved until December 12, when the US Supreme Court ruled to end the state's recount process, ultimately certifying Bush as the winner.

What could delay the presidential election result?

Tight margins may compel media outlets to delay projections, potentially leading to recounts and legal challenges. For example, Pennsylvania mandates an automatic statewide recount if the vote margin is less than half a percentage point. In 2020, the margin was just over 1.1 percentage points.

Additionally, pre-election lawsuits challenging voter eligibility have been filed, and incidents of disorder at polling locations or issues in vote counting, such as a pipe burst at a ballot processing site in Georgia in 2020, could cause delays.

What happens if the presidential election results are challenged?

Once all valid votes are tallied, the results are certified first at local levels and then statewide. The governor certifies a slate of electors representing the state in the electoral college. These electors will cast their votes on December 17, sending them to Washington.

On January 6, 2025, the new US Congress will meet in a joint session to count the electoral votes. After the 2020 election, Donald Trump did not concede defeat, leading to significant unrest at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, during the certification process.

Electoral reforms enacted since then have made it more difficult for lawmakers to contest certified results, clarifying that the vice-president cannot unilaterally reject electoral votes. However, efforts to delay the 2024 vote certification at local and state levels are expected.

When is the presidential inauguration?

The president-elect will be inaugurated on January 20, 2025, at the US Capitol, marking the 60th presidential inauguration in US history. The event will feature the new president taking an oath to uphold the Constitution, followed by an inaugural address