2024 Presidential Election Live: Vote Counting Underway Across the U.S. as Trump and Harris Claim Early Wins; Focus Turns to Battlegrounds
As Americans continue to cast ballots, some states have already been projected as wins for either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris, while others still have long voter queues.
All eyes are on Georgia, a critical swing state where votes are being tallied quickly after over four million residents cast early ballots.
The BBC is providing live state-by-state election results as they come in. Here’s an overview of what to expect and when.
When Will the 2024 Election Results Be Announced?
Polls started closing at 6 p.m. EST (11 p.m. GMT) on Tuesday, with the last polls closing at 1 a.m. EST (6 a.m. GMT) on Wednesday. Results in some races could be projected late on election night or early the next morning, though the close margins in key states may delay a final projection.
Early projections have started for states with predictable voting patterns, but the competitive race between Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump means that narrow wins could lead to recounts, particularly in Pennsylvania if the margin is less than 0.5%.
Key Swing States and Expected Results
- Georgia: Polls closed at 7 p.m. EST, and the majority of votes are expected to be counted within an hour.
- North Carolina: Polls closed 30 minutes later, with results expected before the end of the night.
- Pennsylvania: Voting ended at 8 p.m. EST, but results may take 24 hours or more.
- Michigan: Polls closed at 9 p.m. EST; results are likely late Wednesday.
- Wisconsin: Results from smaller counties may be available soon after polls close, though a complete result is expected Wednesday.
- Arizona: Some initial results could arrive by 10 p.m. EST, but Maricopa County has cautioned that final counts may extend into Wednesday.
- Nevada: Mail-in ballots postmarked by election day are counted if received by November 9, so a final result could take days.
Why Be Cautious of Early Voting Data?
In close races, early voting totals can create misleading impressions. In 2020, Trump initially led in some states, only for Biden to pull ahead as mail-in ballots, typically favoring Democrats, were counted. A similar dynamic could happen this year, with a potential “red mirage” or “blue mirage.”
Over 83 million Americans have already voted, according to the University of Florida’s Election Lab. This includes high early turnout among women, a demographic that could favor Harris. However, Republicans are also voting early in larger numbers than in 2020.
History of Presidential Election Results Timing
Past elections have shown varying result timelines. In 2020, it took four days to project Joe Biden’s win, while in 2016, Trump’s victory was projected hours after polls closed. The 2000 election between Bush and Gore took five weeks due to a Florida recount, ultimately decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Vote Counting Process
Election officials begin with ballots cast on election day, followed by early and mail-in ballots, then overseas and military ballots. Every ballot undergoes verification and scanning, and some require manual counting or double-checking. This process varies by state and locality but includes strict rules about canvassing, ballot handling, and observer roles.
What If the Results Are Contested?
After all valid votes are counted, the Electoral College process begins. The U.S. Congress will meet on January 6 to count the votes and confirm the new president. While reforms post-2020 make it harder to contest certified results, some anticipate challenges, especially at local and state levels.
Trump, his running mate JD Vance, and other top Republicans have occasionally hesitated to confirm they’ll accept the results if he loses. Observers are preparing for any potential delays in certification that may arise.
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