GUWAHATI: On November 5, Americans will cast their final votes in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, choosing between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump. Over 77 million people have already voted early, according to media reports. While voting concludes Tuesday night, the timing of the results remains uncertain due to variations in state ballot counting procedures.
ALSO READ: Guwahati: Man Drowns In Brahmaputra’s Sukreswar Ghat
Vote counting in each state begins as soon as polls close, and preliminary results may be available election night or by early Wednesday morning. However, final results could be delayed due to close races in key battleground states, known as “swing states,” where outcomes could be contested or even require recounts.
Polls in the U.S. will begin closing at 6:00 p.m. EST (4:30 a.m. IST Wednesday) and finish at 1:00 a.m. EST (11:30 a.m. IST) on Wednesday.
Here is a breakdown of when polls close in significant swing states:
- 7:00 p.m. EST (5:30 a.m. IST Wednesday): Polls close in Georgia and five other states, as well as partially in two more.
- 7:30 p.m. EST (6:00 a.m. IST Wednesday): Polls close across three states, including North Carolina.
- 8:00 p.m. EST (6:30 a.m. IST Wednesday): Polls close in Pennsylvania, considered one of the most critical states in this election, along with 15 other states and Washington D.C., as well as partially in Michigan.
- 9:00 p.m. EST (7:30 a.m. IST Wednesday): All remaining polls close in Michigan, and voting ends in Arizona, Wisconsin, and 12 other states.
- 10:00 p.m. EST (8:00 a.m. IST Wednesday): Polls close across Nevada and two additional states.
While some states may announce preliminary winners in predictable races soon after voting ends, results in closely contested swing states like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin could take longer. These states are pivotal in deciding the overall outcome, and close races may lead to recounts or extended counting periods, potentially delaying the final result by days or even weeks.
Although the projected winner may be declared once initial counts are completed, the official president-elect is determined only after all electoral votes are certified. With narrow margins expected in several swing states, this year's election results could take time to solidify.
