US Presidential Election 2024: As Americans cast their votes in the 2024 presidential election, the final results will hinge on several critical factors, from how votes are cast and counted to potential legal disputes in key battleground states. The winner may be clear on election night — or the process could stretch into days or weeks.
Here’s what to expect as the world awaits the results.
When Can We Expect The 2024 US Presidential Election Results?
The race between Democrat Kamala Harris, the current vice-president, and Republican Donald Trump, the former president, has been closely contested. National and swing-state polls are neck-and-neck, suggesting potential narrow margins in key states, which could require recounts. Some states may announce results quickly due to recent improvements in vote-counting processes, while others might take longer.
In the past, results were often known by election night or early the next morning. In the 2020 election, however, the result was only declared four days later due to delayed ballot counts in crucial states like Pennsylvania and Nevada. This year, vote-counting processes in states like Michigan have been expedited, and there will be fewer mail-in ballots than in 2020, which was also a Covid year. Nonetheless, close margins or legal disputes could still delay a definitive result.
How Voting And Vote-Counting Work In The US
In the US, elections are conducted on a state-by-state basis. Here’s how the voting and vote-counting process typically unfolds:
- Election Day Voting: Most voters cast their ballots in person on Election Day, which are usually the first to be counted.
- Early and Mail-In Voting: Many states offer early in-person voting and mail-in options. After Election Day ballots, these votes are counted next.
- Verification and Canvassing: Each ballot undergoes a verification process. This involves verifying voter eligibility, inspecting ballots for any issues, and ensuring consistency in ballot counts. Every ballot is then fed through electronic scanners for tabulation, with some situations requiring a manual recount.
- Overseas and Military Ballots: Some ballots arrive later, including those from overseas and military personnel, and these are included in the final tally.
What Could Delay The Election Result This Time?
Given the tight race, several factors could delay the election results:
- Recounts and Legal Challenges: Narrow victories in swing states might trigger recounts or legal challenges. For example, Pennsylvania mandates an automatic recount if the margin is within 0.5%.
- Court Rulings: With over 100 pre-election lawsuits filed across the country, legal outcomes could shape voter eligibility and vote-counting procedures, leading to potential delays.
- Election-Related Issues: Unexpected disruptions, such as the 2020 water pipe burst at a Georgia ballot centre, could also impact the counting process.