US Election Results: The 2024 U.S. presidential election is shaping up to be a competitive affair, with the initial polls closing at 6:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday and the final ones at 1:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday.
It is possible that the winner will be announced late on election night or early the following morning. The contest between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump has remained extremely close for weeks, and any narrow victories may trigger recounts.
A tight battle for the presidency
Election Day officially commenced at 6:42 a.m. on the East Coast, starting with the opening of polls in Vermont.
As of November 5, Trump and Harris are engaged in a tight battle for the presidency. The seven critical swing states—Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—are where the most heated competitions will unfold, with candidates requiring 270 electoral votes to secure victory. Betting markets suggest Trump has a 60% likelihood of winning, while Harris has a 40% chance. Concerns over potential political violence have led to heightened security in key battlegrounds like Nevada, and businesses in Washington, D.C., are being boarded up, with National Guard members stationed in several states.
Similar to the previous election cycle, analysts expect a closely contested race determined by the outcomes in a few pivotal battleground states. High voter turnout is anticipated this year, with over 66 million early votes cast in the U.S. so far, and states such as Georgia reporting record numbers.
US Election results
For official updates on Election Day, information about your ballot, and details on whether your state still permits early voting, continue reading.
Due to the Electoral College’s structure, recent presidential elections have often been decided by a limited number of swing states—those with a more balanced mix of Democratic and Republican voters, increasing the possibility of either party gaining the majority of votes.
This election cycle identifies seven states as crucial battlegrounds: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. These states are expected to receive the most scrutiny on Election Day.
Where to find official US election results for key battleground states?
US election results can be accessed online from official state government websites, typically the Secretary of State’s office or the state Board of Elections. Here’s where to find results for each battleground state:
Arizona: Official Secretary of State website
Georgia Official Secretary of State website
Michigan: Official Department of State website
Nevada Official Secretary of State website
North Carolina: Official state Board of Elections website
Pennsylvania: Official Election Returns government website
Wisconsin: Official MyVote website
Alternatives for viewing US election results
If you prefer a less complex approach to following the election results while avoiding the noise of constant news updates, there are simpler options available. One notable tool is CNN’s “Magic Wall” app, which provides a clear visual representation of the election outcomes across the U.S. States will change colors based on the results, and users can view updates for presidential, House, Senate, and gubernatorial races.
You can also follow NewsX live coverage for accurate US election results.
Various other outlets and organizations, such as ABC News, Reuters, Bloomberg, and 270toWin, will also provide interactive maps displaying the results.
When will the winner of the 2024 Presidential Election be announced?
Do not expect to know the final results immediately when the first polls close on the East Coast at 6:00 p.m. ET. The 2020 election highlighted that various voting precautions and the tight nature of the race can delay final results, which took until the Saturday following Election Day to be confirmed.
Be cautious of any politicians or partisans who declare an early winner. While some elections are called on the night of the vote, voters are warned not to anticipate a definitive result by the end of Election Day, November 5, primarily due to the closely contested nature of the race. The closer the election results in a state, the longer it will take to count enough ballots to determine a final outcome.
Although it is unlikely that we will have to wait a month for the results, states are required to certify their election outcomes by December 11.
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