2024 Presidential Election: A Timeline of Voting and Results
This Tuesday, the United States is gearing up for an important election, with voters heading to the polls to elect either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump. However, it remains uncertain when the winner will be announced, as the timeline for results could vary significantly based on the predictably close nature of the race. Unlike the 2016 election, where Donald Trump was pronounced the winner by the early hours of the night, or the 2020 election that saw Joe Biden's victory announced days later, the current contest may leave Americans waiting even longer for clarity.
The voting process began on September 11 when ballots were first cast in Alabama, allowing voters to send in their mail-in ballots. By mid-October, early voting expanded to other states, with Virginia opening its polling stations on September 20. As of last weekend, nearly 76 million Americans had already voted either by mail or through early in-person voting.
Elections culminate on November 5, which is officially designated as Election Day in the U.S. As polling stations close in the various time zones, the counting of votes will commence. Results from swing states like Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, and Pennsylvania are particularly crucial, as they could determine the outcome of the presidential race. Key deadlines differ by state; for example, in North Carolina, officials can begin verifying mail-in ballots five weeks prior to the election while in Michigan, this process starts eight days beforehand.
The electoral laws can lead to varied counting speeds. While Georgia will process mail-in ballots as they arrive, Pennsylvania does not start counting pre-submitted or mail-in ballots until Election Day itself. This discrepancy means that while some states might have results ready quickly, others could find the counting process drawn out, especially in tightly contested races.
States have until December 11 to certify their election results and appoint their electors. By December 17, electors will meet state by state to cast their votes for President and Vice President. These results are then forwarded to the National Archives.
On January 3, 2025, the newly elected Congress will convene for the first time, welcoming all elected representatives and senators, while the official certification of election results will occur on January 6 in a joint session of Congress. Finally, the President and Vice President will be inaugurated on January 20, formally assuming their roles in a ceremony that is the cornerstone of American democratic tradition.
With numerous mail-in ballots potentially complicating and prolonging the counting process, Americans are preparing for a protracted election outcome, underlining the importance of understanding new voting rules, state laws, and the overall electoral process for this crucial election.
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