As the United States wraps up voting for its next President, all eyes are on the final results of the 2024 election. The race is a tight one between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump. While voting has ended in several states, the question remains: When will the winner be announced?
Why the Election Result Might Not Be Immediate
Even though polls are set to close at various times between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. EST (4:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. IST), don’t expect an instant answer. Unlike many other countries, the U.S. doesn’t rely solely on the popular vote to determine the President. Instead, each state’s electoral votes are what really matter. A candidate needs 270 of these 538 electoral votes to secure victory, which can make the counting process more complex and sometimes longer.
For close races like this one, results may not be clear on election night. In fact, during the 2020 election, it took several days before Joe Biden was declared the winner. Some states, especially swing states, may take longer to count their votes or could even face recounts if the vote is extremely close.
Understanding the Electoral College
The Electoral College plays a crucial role in U.S. presidential elections. Each state has a specific number of “electors” based on its population and Congressional representation. After votes are counted, these electors cast their votes to decide the next President. That’s why a state’s result can be so influential—some states with higher populations, like Pennsylvania or Florida, hold more electoral votes and can often tip the scales.
In many cases, news networks will “call” a state’s result once enough votes are counted to make an accurate prediction. However, close margins may mean waiting longer to determine the winner. If a state’s vote margin is within a very narrow range—often around 0.5%—a recount could be triggered, which naturally delays the process.
When to Expect the Results
Though news channels aim to project results as states finalize their counts, the official result can take longer. Here’s when some key states are set to close their polls:
- Pennsylvania & Georgia: 8 p.m. EST (6:30 a.m. IST)
- Arizona & Wisconsin: 9 p.m. EST (7:30 a.m. IST)
- Nevada: 7 p.m. EST (5:30 a.m. IST)
- North Carolina: 7:30 p.m. EST (6:00 a.m. IST)
In some past elections, a winner has been called on the same night. For example, in 2016, Donald Trump was announced as the winner before midnight. In other years, such as 2020, it took days for all votes to be counted and confirmed.
Why Delays and Recounts Could Happen
Because the race is tight, it’s possible that some swing states will need extra time for recounts or verification. In some cases, a recount may be automatically triggered if the vote difference is below a certain threshold, like 0.5%. This adds time to the process but ensures accuracy, especially in states that could decide the final outcome.
Comparing Past Elections
History shows us that election results vary in timing. In 2012, Barack Obama’s re-election was confirmed before midnight on election night, while in 2020, it took until November 7 for a final call. With 2024 shaping up to be close, we may need to wait longer for a confirmed result.
In short, though the first results may start rolling in on election night, a final winner might take hours or even days to determine. As the count progresses, the 270 electoral votes needed for victory will be the true indicator of who will lead the U.S.
