US Election 2024: When Will Results Be Announced and Which Battleground States Will Decide the Next President?
US Election 2024: Key Battleground States & Dates to Watch as Harris and Trump Face Off in a Tight Race
US Election 2024: When Will the Winner Be Declared and What Are the Key Battleground States?
The US Election 2024 is shaping up to be a historic and nail-biting contest between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. As Election Day draws near on November 5, 2024, both candidates are making a final push to secure victory. With polls showing a tight race, the outcome hinges on a few critical battleground states, where the balance of power is delicately poised. Here’s everything you need to know about the US Election 2024, when the results will be announced, and which states will play the most pivotal role in determining the next president.
When Is the US Election 2024?
The US Election 2024 is set for Tuesday, November 5, 2024. As with every general election, voters across the nation will head to polling stations to cast their votes for the next president, as well as for Congressional representatives in the House of Representatives and the Senate. The results are expected to come in as soon as polls close at 6:00 PM ET (4:30 AM IST). Election Night 2024 promises to be an eventful one, with key battleground states offering clues to who will take home the presidency.
Once the results begin to roll in, attention will immediately turn to the 270 electoral votes required to win the presidency. A candidate must secure this number by winning a majority of electoral votes in individual states, with the most contentious states expected to be called last.
Key Battleground States in the US Election 2024
US Election 2024 is expected to be decided in a handful of battleground states. Here’s a closer look at the states that could swing the election one way or the other:
1. Pennsylvania (19 Electoral Votes)
- Why It Matters: Pennsylvania is a classic swing state that is pivotal in this election. Trump won it in 2016, but Biden flipped it in 2020. Polls show the state is too close to call again in 2024.
- When to Watch: Polls open at 7:00 AM ET and close at 8:00 PM ET. Results may come in after 9:00 PM ET, but a full picture might take longer as the state counts mail-in ballots.
2. Georgia (16 Electoral Votes)
- Why It Matters: Georgia became a battleground in 2020 after a historic Democratic win by Biden, but Trump is working hard to reclaim it. With a sizable African American population in cities like Atlanta and a growing suburban voter base, Georgia remains critical in the US Election 2024.
- When to Watch: Polls open at 7:00 AM ET and close at 8:00 PM ET. Early results could show a close race, as both sides are competing intensely in the state.
3. Arizona (11 Electoral Votes)
- Why It Matters: Arizona has flipped from a solidly red state to a contested battleground over the last few election cycles. The changing demographics, including the rise of Latino voters and younger generations shifting away from the GOP, have made Arizona a state to watch closely.
- When to Watch: Polls open at 8:00 AM ET and close at 9:00 PM ET. Results could be delayed due to mail-in ballots, but early returns will offer early signals on the race.
4. Wisconsin (10 Electoral Votes)
- Why It Matters: A key rust-belt state, Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes played a major role in 2016, when Trump won unexpectedly. Biden narrowly flipped it in 2020, making it one of the tightest states in the US Election 2024.
- When to Watch: Polls open at 8:00 AM ET and close at 9:00 PM ET. This state is often one of the last to call, as the results come in slowly from rural and urban areas.
5. Michigan (15 Electoral Votes)
- Why It Matters: Michigan’s status as a blue state was upended by Trump in 2016. Since then, Michigan has become a bellwether for national politics, with voters’ preferences shifting over time. Voter turnout will be crucial here, particularly after discontent with Biden’s foreign policies, like his stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict, which may have alienated some voters.
- When to Watch: Polls open at 7:00 AM ET and close at 9:00 PM ET.
6. Nevada (6 Electoral Votes)
- Why It Matters: Nevada, historically a solid Democratic state, is showing signs of being a more closely contested battleground in US Election 2024. With large urban areas in Clark County (Las Vegas) and a rising Latino voting population, this state could decide the outcome.
- When to Watch: Polls open at 10:00 AM ET and close at 10:00 PM ET. Nevada’s polls are known for closing later, so expect a slower count.
7. North Carolina (15 Electoral Votes)
- Why It Matters: North Carolina is another state that Trump won by a slim margin in 2020. In 2024, it remains a Republican-leaning state, but Harris has been closing the gap, making it one of the most contested states in the US Election 2024.
- When to Watch: Polls open at 6:30 AM ET and close at 6:30 PM ET. Early voting will play a big role here.
The Role of Early Voting in the US Election 2024
As with many recent elections, early voting will play a major role in shaping the final results of the US Election 2024. A surge in early voting—particularly in states like Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Arizona—has already made it difficult to predict a clear winner on Election Night. Both campaigns are pouring resources into getting voters to the polls as early as possible.
Additionally, mail-in ballots are expected to be a significant factor, especially in battleground states where voting laws have changed, allowing more people to vote by mail. These ballots are often counted after Election Day, meaning final results in some states could be delayed for days after November 5.
What Do the Latest Polls Say About the US Election 2024?
Recent polling data shows that Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are neck and neck in several key battleground states. According to FiveThirtyEight’s poll average, Trump holds a slim edge in some states like Georgia and Arizona, but Harris has maintained a narrow national lead of about 1.8% in recent tracking polls. This underscores how close the US Election 2024 is and how critical voter turnout will be in states like Michigan and Nevada, where the race is still too close to call.
When Will the US Election 2024 Winner Be Announced?
While US Election 2024 results are expected to come in as soon as polls close, it’s important to remember that the winner may not be immediately clear. Some states, such as Pennsylvania and Nevada, will take longer to count ballots, especially with the increase in early voting and mail-in ballots. It could take several days for the final count to come in, and with the electoral college system, even a small margin of votes in key states like Wisconsin and Michigan could decide the outcome.
Conclusion: The Race for the White House in US Election 2024
The US Election 2024 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive, high-stakes races in modern American history. With both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump battling for the support of voters in key swing states, the outcome is far from certain. Voter turnout will be key, especially in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, and Georgia. Stay tuned on Election Night, November 5, for updates as the results roll in and the country waits to see who will secure the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House.
