When Will We Know the 2024 US Election Results?
The 2024 US presidential election is underway, with voters across the country casting their ballots on November 5. However, the pressing question on many people’s minds is, “When will we actually know who won?” In recent election cycles, results have sometimes been available on the same night. Yet, with a tight race anticipated between Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate and current vice president, and Republican former president Donald Trump, the timing of this year’s results could vary significantly.
In previous elections, we’ve seen a range of result timings. For instance, in 2016, Donald Trump was declared the winner early on November 9, shortly before 3 a.m. EST, while Barack Obama’s re-election in 2012 was confirmed late on election night. The 2020 election, however, took longer, with Joe Biden announced as the victor days later on November 7. This delay was largely due to the high number of mail-in ballots and state recounts. With early votes, absentee ballots, and potential recounts in battleground states, it’s difficult to pinpoint an exact time when the 2024 results will be confirmed.
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Key swing states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, and Michigan play a crucial role in determining the winner. In states with close margins, election officials must count not only in-person ballots but also early and mail-in votes, which can significantly slow down the process. Some states, including Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, don’t allow mail-in ballot counting until Election Day, which could lead to extended timelines. Additionally, mail-in ballots from overseas and military voters are often counted last, contributing to the delay.
Legal challenges are another potential source of delay. Already, over 100 pre-election lawsuits have been filed, particularly in states where eligibility and voter rolls are under scrutiny. These cases could add to the wait if recounts or other legal interventions are needed. In close races, state laws may mandate automatic recounts, which happened in the 2020 election in Georgia, where the margin of victory was under 0.5%.
Interestingly, while some areas have streamlined their vote-counting processes since 2020—particularly in states like Michigan where early ballot preparation is now permitted—official results still depend on when polls close. With polls closing as early as 6 p.m. EST in some places and as late as 1 a.m. EST in others, initial projections might start rolling in the evening. Still, any official projection in the most competitive states could be delayed until all votes are accounted for, possibly even days after Election Day.
So, while many Americans might hope to know the 2024 election winner on election night, it’s likely that full clarity will take longer, especially with the possibility of recounts and legal contests. The final, confirmed results will determine the next president, with the inauguration scheduled for January 20, 2025, regardless of delays in announcing the winner.
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