The outcome of the US presidential race might be known within a few hours or could take days, as the election is determined by electoral college votes, not the national vote total. Voting across the three time zones for the US 2024 presidential election will conclude staggered, starting with the East Coast on November 5.
It’s possible that results could come quickly, potentially by the morning of November 6, reminiscent of 2016 when the election concluded early on November 9. However, the wait could be longer, as seen in 2020, when Biden took until November 7 to secure the presidency after winning Pennsylvania. The 2000 election holds the record for the delay, with results finalized more than a month after election day.
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump must secure at least 270 of the 538 electoral college votes to win. These votes are assigned based on each state’s representation in Congress—both in the House of Representatives and the Senate, with each state contributing two votes for its senators.
Poll closing times vary by state, county, and sometimes even cities within the same county. Voters in line at closing can cast their ballots, regardless of how long it takes. Early voting is underway, with over 55 million registered voters having already voted in person or by postal ballot.
