FAQs on the US election: What day is it to vote? When will the winner be announced? Answers to your inquiries: The victor of previous presidential contests has frequently been declared late on election night or early the next day. However, because of the close races in some states this year, media outlets might postpone their predictions of the winner.
The 2024 US presidential election, in which Republican candidate and former US President Donald Trump is facing up against Democratic nominee and vice president Kamala Harris, is being watched with great interest by people all around the world.
In addition to influencing the future of the United States, the result of the fierce competition will have a significant impact on other countries across the world, especially India, a crucial ally of the US. Here is all you need to know about the 2024 presidential election as D-Day draws near.
When is the 2024 election day?
The official date of the US elections is November 5, also referred to as Election Day. Nonetheless, early voting is permitted in practically all US states. As of last week before November 5, more than 75 million Americans had already cast their ballots.
When will the US election results come out?
The election outcome should ideally be known the same evening as the day of the vote. The actual counting procedure is time-consuming. Vote counting techniques differ by location; most use optical scanners, but others use ballot-marking machines or touch-screen systems.
The results are painstakingly recounted, collated, and disseminated to the public, parties, and officials. Weeks may pass during all of this. However, that does not imply that individuals must wait that long to find out the outcome.
In the US, media outlets typically “call” the states soon after the vote is over. This implies that on election night or early the next morning, the winner of the majority of states will be predicted. However, media outlets might wait a few days before forecasting in states where the fight is close.
When will the final election results be known, then?
Once either candidate receives the 270 electoral college votes needed to win the election, the US media will declare the election over. The electoral college has 538 votes in total. The election in 2020 was held on November 3rd, but it wasn’t until November 7th, when the Pennsylvania results were more certain, that the media outlets announced Joe Biden as the victor.
On election day, what time do polling places close?
Due to different time zones, polling hours differ in different parts of the United areas, including battleground areas. To help you visualize, here is a short schedule:
Polling places in Alaska open at 11 a.m. or 12 p.m. ET, while those in Alabama open at 8 a.m. ET (6.30 p.m. IST). Polling stations in Arizona, a crucial electoral state, are open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET. Voting in Arkansas and California starts at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., respectively, and ends at 8:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Polling places in Columbia and Florida will open at 7 or 8 a.m. ET and close 12 hours later, while Connecticut will open early at 6 a.m. ET and close at 8 p.m. Polls in Maryland, Michigan, and Massachusetts likewise open at 7 a.m. ET and close at 8 p.m. ET.
How are votes counted?
Usually, ballots cast on election day are counted first, then ballots sent in early or by mail, ballots that are contested, then ballots from overseas or the military. Canvassing is the procedure by which local election authorities, who may be elected or appointed, verify, process, and count each vote.
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