American voters will head to the polls on November 5 to elect the next president. Historically, election results have often been available within hours after polls close. However, this year’s evenly matched race may lead to a longer wait for the final outcome.
Results for the 2024 presidential election are anticipated later than in some past elections due to the competitive nature of the contests. Current candidates Kamala Harris, the vice president, and Donald Trump, the former president, have been polling extremely close to one another, particularly in key battleground states. If the vote margins are slim, recounts may be necessary; for instance, Pennsylvania mandates a recount if the vote difference is less than half a percentage point. This is reminiscent of the 2020 election where a mere 1.1 percentage point separated the two candidates.
In addition to potential recounts, there have been over 100 pre-election lawsuits filed that could create further delays, focusing on issues like voter eligibility and management of voter rolls. However, a positive note is that some states, such as Michigan, have improved their vote-counting processes, which may expedite the reporting of results compared to previous elections.
Notable historical precedents include the 2020 election, where Joe Biden was not declared the winner until November 7, 2020, due to close results in Pennsylvania. In contrast, during the 2016 election, Trump was pronounced the victor just a few hours after polls closed.
The voting process involves various key states known as battlegrounds, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Nevada, and Wisconsin. Their differing polling closing times may result in staggered reporting of results. For example, while Georgia’s early and mail-in votes are counted first and could produce results within a few hours, states like Pennsylvania can’t begin counting until Election Day, thus delaying results.
If election results are contested, the process shifts to the electoral college system, where states allocate electoral votes based on the popular vote. Meetings on December 17 solidify these electoral results, followed by Congress counting and confirming the votes on January 6.
The congressional certification process has evolved since the 2020 election, where unrest occurred during the meeting to count electoral votes. Reforms have clarified the vice president’s role and made it more challenging for members of Congress to object to results. Despite these changes, some political figures have indicated they may not accept the election outcome should they lose.
Ultimately, while uncertainty surrounding the results this election cycle may cause apprehension, it is crucial for the election to proceed smoothly, and with well-established processes in place, the anticipation of new leadership should inspire hope for the future. The inauguration of the new president is set for January 20, 2025, marking a pivotal moment in the American political landscape.