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When will we know who has won the US election? When will we know who has won the US election?
(32 minutes later)
American voters are going to the polls on Tuesday to choose their next president. American voters go to the polls on Tuesday to choose their next president.
US election results have sometimes been declared within hours of the polls closing, but this year's tight contest could mean a longer wait. US election results are sometimes declared within hours of the polls closing, but this year's tight contest could mean a longer wait.
When is the 2024 presidential election result expected?When is the 2024 presidential election result expected?
In some presidential races the victor has been named late on election night, or early the next morning. This time, the knife-edge race in many states could mean media outlets wait longer before projecting who has won. The first polls close at 18:00 EST (23:00 GMT) on Tuesday evening and the last at 01:00 EST (06:00 GMT) early on Wednesday.
Democrat Kamala Harris, the current vice-president, and Republican Donald Trump, the former president, have been running neck-and-neck for weeks. In some presidential races the victor has been named late on election night, or early the next morning.
Narrow victories could also mean recounts. In the key swing state of Pennsylvania, for example, a state-wide recount would be required if there’s a half-percentage-point difference between the votes cast for the winner and loser. In 2020, the margin was just over 1.1 percentage points. This time, the knife-edge race in many states could mean media outlets wait longer before projecting who has won.
Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, the former president, have been running neck-and-neck for weeks.
Narrow victories could also mean recounts.
In the key swing state of Pennsylvania, for example, a recount would be required if there’s a half-percentage-point difference between the votes cast for the winner and loser. In 2020, the margin was just over 1.1 percentage points.
Follow live election updatesFollow live election updates
How to follow the US election on the BBC
US election polls: Who is winning - Harris or Trump?US election polls: Who is winning - Harris or Trump?
BBC's Sumi Somaskanda explains when a new president will be announced Visual guide - Harris and Trump's paths to victory
Legal challenges are also possible. More than 100 pre-election lawsuits have already been filed, including challenges to voter eligibility and voter roll management, by Republicans. Legal challenges are also possible. More than 100 pre-election lawsuits have already been filed by Republicans, including challenges to voter eligibility and voter roll management.
Other scenarios that could cause delays include any election-related disorder, particularly at polling locations.Other scenarios that could cause delays include any election-related disorder, particularly at polling locations.
On the other hand, vote-counting has sped up in some areas, including the crucial state of Michigan, and far fewer votes will be cast by mail than in the last election, which was during the Covid pandemic.On the other hand, vote-counting has sped up in some areas, including the crucial state of Michigan, and far fewer votes will be cast by mail than in the last election, which was during the Covid pandemic.
When have previous presidential election results been announced?When have previous presidential election results been announced?
The 2020 election took place on Tuesday 3 November. However, US TV networks did not declare Joe Biden the winner until late morning on Saturday 7 November, after the result in Pennsylvania became clearer. In the 2020 election, US TV networks did not declare Joe Biden the winner until four days after election day, when the result in Pennsylvania became clearer.
In other recent elections, voters have had a much shorter wait.In other recent elections, voters have had a much shorter wait.
In 2016, when Trump won the presidency, he was declared the winner shortly before 03:00 EST (08:00 GMT) the day after the election. In 2016, Trump was declared the winner shortly before 03:00 EST (08:00 GMT) a few hours after polls closed.
In 2012, when Barack Obama secured a second term, his victory was projected before midnight on polling day itself. In 2012, when Barack Obama secured a second term, his victory was projected before midnight the same evening of Election Day.
However, the 2000 election between George W Bush and Al Gore was a notable exception. However, the 2000 election between George W Bush and Al Gore was a notable exception. The race was not decided for five weeks, when the US Supreme Court voted to end Florida's recount. That kept Bush in place as winner and handed him the White House.
The vote was held on 7 November, but the two campaigns went to war over a tight contest in Florida and the race was not decided until 12 December. The US Supreme Court voted to end the state's recount process, which kept Bush in place as winner and handed him the White House. BBC's Sumi Somaskanda explains when a new president will be announced
Visual guide - Harris and Trump's paths to victory
The moment I decided on my vote
Watch: Final night of campaigning so far… in 42 seconds
What are the swing states to watch in 2024?What are the swing states to watch in 2024?
Across the country, the first polls will close at 18:00 EST (23:00 GMT) on Tuesday evening and the last polls will close at 01:00 EST (06:00 GMT) early on Wednesday. The race is expected to come down to results from seven swing states, which experts believe Harris and Trump both have a realistic chance of winning:
But this race is expected to come down to results from seven swing states. These are Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Georgia - Polls close in the Peach State at 19:00 EST (00:00 GMT). Georgia's top election official estimates that about 75% of votes will be counted within the first two hours.
Polls close at different times in different regions. State-specific rules could prolong counting in some states, while other states may report partial figures moments after the last in-person vote is cast. Also, some absentee and mail-in ballots, including votes by members of the military and Americans living overseas, are normally among the last to be counted. North Carolina - Polls close 30 minutes after Georgia. North Carolina's results are expected to be announced before the end of the night.
Georgia - Polls close in the Peach State at 19:00 EST (00:00 GMT). Early and mail-in ballots will be counted first, ahead of in-person votes. Georgia's top election official estimates that about 75% of votes will be counted within the first two hours, with a full tally possible expected by later in the night. Pennsylvania - Voting ends at 20:00 EST (01:00 GMT) but experts agree it may take at least 24 hours before enough votes are counted for a winner to emerge.
North Carolina - Polls close thirty minutes after Georgia. North Carolina's results are expected to be announced before the end of the night, however, complications may arise in areas that were hit by a hurricane in September. Michigan - Voting concludes at 21:00 EST (02:00 GMT). A result is not expected until the end of Wednesday.
Pennsylvania - Voting ends at 20:00 EST (01:00 GMT) in the Keystone State - the crown jewel of all the swing states in this election cycle. Like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania does not allow counting to begin until the morning of the election, leading to an expected delay in results. Experts agree that it may take at least 24 hours before enough votes are counted for a winner to emerge. Wisconsin - Results should come in shortly after polls close at 21:00 EST for smaller counties but experts predict the state won't have a result until at least Wednesday.
Michigan - Voting concludes at 21:00 EST (02:00 GMT) in the Wolverine State. Michigan allows officials to begin counting votes one week before election day, but they are not allowed to reveal the results until these polls shut. Michigan's top election official has said that a result should not be expected until the "end of the day" on Wednesday. Arizona - Initial results could come as early as 22:00 EST (03:00 GMT) but the state's largest county says not to expect results until early Wednesday morning. Postal ballots dropped off on election day could take up to 13 days to count.
Wisconsin - Results should come in shortly after polls close at 21:00 EST for smaller counties. However, it often takes longer for major populations centres to tabulate votes, leading experts to predict that the state won't have a result until at least Wednesday. Nevada - Votes here could also take days to count. The state allows mail-in ballots as long as they were sent on election day and arrive no later than 9 November.
Arizona - Initial results could come as early as 22:00 EST (03:00 GMT), however, they won't paint a complete picture. The state's largest county says not to expect results until early Wednesday morning. On top of that, postal ballots dropped off on election day could take up to 13 days to count, according to officials in Maricopa County, the largest district in the state. Watch: Final night of campaigning so far… in 42 seconds
Nevada - Votes here could also take days to count, because the state allows mail-in ballots to qualify as long as they were sent on election day and arrive no later than 9 November.
SIMPLE GUIDE: How to win the electoral college
EXPLAINER: What Harris or Trump would do in power
GLOBAL: How this election could change the world
IN PICS: Different lives of Harris and Trump
POLLS: Who is winning the race for the White House?
How does the vote-counting work?How does the vote-counting work?
Typically, the votes cast on election day are tallied first, followed by early and mail ballots, those that have been challenged, and then overseas and military ballots.Typically, the votes cast on election day are tallied first, followed by early and mail ballots, those that have been challenged, and then overseas and military ballots.
Local election officials - sometimes appointed, sometimes elected - verify, process and count individual votes, in a process known as canvassing.Local election officials - sometimes appointed, sometimes elected - verify, process and count individual votes, in a process known as canvassing.
Verifying ballots includes comparing the number cast with the number of active voters; removing, unfolding and examining every single ballot for tears, stains or other damage; and documenting and investigating any inconsistencies.Verifying ballots includes comparing the number cast with the number of active voters; removing, unfolding and examining every single ballot for tears, stains or other damage; and documenting and investigating any inconsistencies.
Counting ballots involves feeding each one into electronic scanners that tabulate their results. Some circumstances require manual counts or double-checked tallies.Counting ballots involves feeding each one into electronic scanners that tabulate their results. Some circumstances require manual counts or double-checked tallies.
Every state and locality has rigorous rules about who can participate in the canvass, the order in which votes are processed and which parts are open to the public, including how partisan observers can monitor and intervene in vote-counting.Every state and locality has rigorous rules about who can participate in the canvass, the order in which votes are processed and which parts are open to the public, including how partisan observers can monitor and intervene in vote-counting.
When does vote counting begin and how long will it take?When does vote counting begin and how long will it take?
The moment I decided on my vote
SIMPLE GUIDE: How to win the electoral college
EXPLAINER: What Harris or Trump would do in power
GLOBAL: How this election could change the world
IN PICS: Different lives of Harris and Trump
POLLS: Who is winning the race for the White House?
What happens if the presidential election results are challenged?What happens if the presidential election results are challenged?
Once every valid vote has been included in the final results, a process known as the electoral college comes into play.Once every valid vote has been included in the final results, a process known as the electoral college comes into play.
In each state a varying number of electoral college votes can be won, and it is securing these – and not just the backing of voters themselves – that ultimately wins the presidency.In each state a varying number of electoral college votes can be won, and it is securing these – and not just the backing of voters themselves – that ultimately wins the presidency.
What is the US electoral college, and how does it work?What is the US electoral college, and how does it work?
How are votes counted in the US election?How are votes counted in the US election?
Generally, states award all of their electoral college votes to whoever wins the popular vote and this is confirmed after meetings on 17 December.Generally, states award all of their electoral college votes to whoever wins the popular vote and this is confirmed after meetings on 17 December.
The new US Congress then meets on 6 January to count the electoral college votes and confirm the new president.The new US Congress then meets on 6 January to count the electoral college votes and confirm the new president.
After the 2020 election, Trump refused to concede and rallied supporters to march on the US Capitol as Congress was meeting to certify Biden's victory.After the 2020 election, Trump refused to concede and rallied supporters to march on the US Capitol as Congress was meeting to certify Biden's victory.
He urged his Vice-President, Mike Pence, to reject the results - but Pence refused.He urged his Vice-President, Mike Pence, to reject the results - but Pence refused.
Even after the riot was cleared and members of Congress regrouped, 147 Republicans voted unsuccessfully to overturn Trump's loss.Even after the riot was cleared and members of Congress regrouped, 147 Republicans voted unsuccessfully to overturn Trump's loss.
Electoral reforms since then have made it harder for lawmakers to object to certified results sent to them from individual states. They have also clarified that the vice-president has no power to unilaterally reject electoral votes.Electoral reforms since then have made it harder for lawmakers to object to certified results sent to them from individual states. They have also clarified that the vice-president has no power to unilaterally reject electoral votes.
Nevertheless, election watchers expect that efforts to delay certification of the 2024 vote could take place at the local and state level.Nevertheless, election watchers expect that efforts to delay certification of the 2024 vote could take place at the local and state level.
Trump, his running mate JD Vance and top Republican leaders on Capitol Hill have refused on several occasions to state unequivocally that they will accept the results if he loses.Trump, his running mate JD Vance and top Republican leaders on Capitol Hill have refused on several occasions to state unequivocally that they will accept the results if he loses.
What happens if there is a tie?What happens if there is a tie?
It is possible that the two candidates could end up in a tie because they have the same number of electoral college votes – 269 each.It is possible that the two candidates could end up in a tie because they have the same number of electoral college votes – 269 each.
In that situation, members of the House of Representatives - the lower chamber of the US Congress - would vote to choose the president in a process known as a contingent election.In that situation, members of the House of Representatives - the lower chamber of the US Congress - would vote to choose the president in a process known as a contingent election.
Meanwhile the Senate – the upper chamber – would vote for the vice-president.Meanwhile the Senate – the upper chamber – would vote for the vice-president.
But that hasn’t happened for about 200 years.But that hasn’t happened for about 200 years.
When is the presidential inauguration?When is the presidential inauguration?
The president-elect will begin their term in office after being inaugurated on Monday, 20 January 2025, in the grounds of the US Capitol complex.The president-elect will begin their term in office after being inaugurated on Monday, 20 January 2025, in the grounds of the US Capitol complex.
It will be the 60th presidential inauguration in US history.It will be the 60th presidential inauguration in US history.
The event will see the new president sworn in on a pledge to uphold the Constitution and then deliver their inaugural address.The event will see the new president sworn in on a pledge to uphold the Constitution and then deliver their inaugural address.