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On Tuesday, American voters will head to the polls to elect their next president in a tight race between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and former Republican President Donald Trump. Given the close contest, it may take longer than usual to determine a winner.
When to Expect Results
Polls across the U.S. begin closing on Tuesday evening, with the earliest at 18:00 EST (23:00 GMT) and the latest by 01:00 EST (06:00 GMT) on Wednesday. In previous elections, results for some states are announced within hours, giving a live tally throughout election night. However, this year’s close race in key states could lead to delays before media outlets project a winner.
In closely contested states, recounts may also be required, especially if the vote difference is narrow. For instance, Pennsylvania mandates a recount if the margin is less than 0.5%. This state, along with others, may also see legal challenges, as over 100 lawsuits have already been filed pre-election, mostly concerning voter eligibility and voter roll management.
Swing States and Counting Times
The election outcome hinges on results from seven key swing states, where both Harris and Trump are vying for wins. Here’s when they are expected to report:
- Georgia – Polls close at 19:00 EST (00:00 GMT). Officials expect 75% of votes counted within two hours.
- North Carolina – Polls close 30 minutes after Georgia, with results anticipated by the end of the night.
- Pennsylvania – Polls close at 20:00 EST (01:00 GMT), but it may take up to 24 hours for a winner to be clear.
- Michigan – Voting concludes at 21:00 EST (02:00 GMT), with results expected by late Wednesday.
- Wisconsin – Smaller counties may report soon after 21:00 EST, but full results likely won’t be available until Wednesday.
- Arizona – Initial results could arrive by 22:00 EST (03:00 GMT), though final tallies may take until Wednesday.
- Nevada – Mail-in ballots, accepted up to November 9 if postmarked by election day, may delay results here.
Looking Back at Past Elections
Election night outcomes have varied in the past. In 2020, the race wasn’t called until four days post-election, while previous years saw quicker conclusions. Notably, the 2000 Bush-Gore race took five weeks to resolve, ending only after a Supreme Court decision on Florida’s recount.
While fewer mail-in votes and faster counting in some areas could speed up this year’s results, the close race and potential for legal disputes mean Americans may need patience before a winner is confirmed.
