Harris or Trump? When will US presidential election results be declared; know date and time

Citizens across the United States will start casting their votes on Tuesday to choose the next president. Although election results usually become clear soon after polls close, this year’s tight race may take longer to produce a final outcome.
The 2024 presidential election schedule begins with initial polls closing at 18:00 EST (23:00 GMT) on Tuesday, whilst final polls conclude at 01:00 EST (06:00 GMT) on Wednesday.
When can we expect the results?
The first polls will close at around 7 pm ET (5:30 am IST) in six states, including Georgia. The final polls will close in the blue state of Hawaii and in the red state of Alaska at 12 am ET (10:30 am IST). Total votes will close by 1 pm ET (11:30 am IST), following which counting will start.
Previous presidential contests have often produced clear winners during election night or early the following day.
However, the current close margins in numerous states may cause news organisations to exercise additional caution before announcing a projected winner.
Recent polls show Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, the former president, maintaining virtually equal support.
Close results could necessitate vote recounts in certain states. For instance, Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state, would require a recount if the difference between winner and runner-up is less than half a percentage point. The 2020 election saw a margin of just over 1.1 percentage points.
Republicans have already initiated over 100 pre-election legal proceedings, challenging voter eligibility and electoral roll management.
Additional factors that might delay results include potential disruptions at polling stations or other election-related disturbances.
Historically election result declaration time varies significantly
During the 2020 elections, television networks did not declare Joe Biden the winner until four days after election day, when the result in Pennsylvania became clearer.
Previous contests saw quicker results. Donald Trump’s victory announcement came shortly before 03:00 EST (08:00 GMT) on November 9, 2016, within hours of poll closure.
Barack Obama’s re-election in November 2012 saw an even quicker resolution, with projections confirming his second term before midnight on election day itself.
A notable deviation occurred in 2000, when the Bush-Gore contest remained unresolved for five weeks. The final outcome emerged only after the US Supreme Court halted Florida’s recount, confirming George W Bush’s presidency.
What happens in case of a deadlock
If both candidates receive an equal number of electoral college votes – 269 each – a rare scenario could unfold.
In such circumstances, the decision shifts to the House of Representatives, where members would cast their votes to select the president through a contingent election procedure.
Simultaneously, the Senate would undertake the responsibility of voting to determine the vice-president.
However, this extraordinary situation has not occurred in approximately two centuries.
Donald Trump secures third consecutive victory in Kentucky, wins Indiana and Kentucky
Donald Trump triumphed in Kentucky once again on Tuesday, securing a third consecutive victory and adding eight electoral votes to his total, according to AP reports. The Republican candidate has dominated the state in every election since Bill Clinton’s 1996 win for the Democrats. Trump, who worked closely with state leaders during his presidency to pass significant tax cuts and appoint three conservative justices to the Supreme Court, maintains strong ties to the state.
With a solid base of support in the South and Midwest, Trump also won Indiana, bringing his total by 19 electoral votes. Meanwhile, Harris captured Vermont, a longstanding Democratic stronghold that has backed the party in every presidential election for the past eight cycles. In Indiana, Republican Jim Banks, a staunch Trump ally, secured the state’s open US Senate seat, defeating Democratic challenger Valerie McCray. Banks’ victory underscores Indiana’s conservative tilt, reinforced by the state’s overwhelming support for Trump in previous elections. Meanwhile, in Kentucky, Trump celebrated his continued dominance, marking his third straight win in the state since 2016, solidifying his position within Kentucky’s Republican base.
Harris wins Vermont
Harris secured a victory in Vermont, highlighting her strong support in progressive areas. Vermont’s moderate Republican Governor, Phil Scott, who was critical of Trump, had previously expressed backing for Democratic leaders, even voting for Joe Biden in 2020. Vermont’s choice to align with Harris underscores a wider ideological split between regions that prioritize different approaches to key issues such as economic recovery, social policy, and foreign relations.
As polls closed in six states, including the crucial battleground of Georgia, the race was poised for a tense and uncertain night. For many voters, the election outcome represented more than just a choice of policies—it was a pivotal moment for the future of democracy itself.
Also See: US Presidential Election | US Election Results 2024
Republicans take West Virginia Senate seat
In a major victory for Republicans on Election Night, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice claimed the state’s open US Senate seat, flipping it to red following the retirement of Democrat Joe Manchin. Justice, a well-known conservative figure in the state, defeated Democrat Glenn Elliott, the former mayor of Wheeling, in a closely contested race.
Harris wins Vermont as key states head toward tight election night
Vice President Kamala Harris claimed victory in Vermont, highlighting her strong support in progressive regions. Vermont’s Governor Phil Scott, a moderate Republican and vocal critic of Donald Trump, had previously shown his backing for Democratic leadership, even casting his vote for Joe Biden in 2020. The state’s alignment with Harris underscores the broader ideological divides across the nation, with differing regional approaches to issues like economic recovery, social policy, and foreign relations.
As polling stations closed in several key states, including the battleground of Georgia, the race was poised for a tense and unpredictable night. For many Americans, the outcome of the election is not just about policy choices, but about the future direction of democracy itself.
Trump secures victory in Texas, 4 more states
Donald Trump secured his third straight victory in Texas during Tuesday’s election, Associated Press said, earning 40 electoral votes. The state’s electoral count increased by two following the 2020 population census.
In Ohio, Trump achieved his third consecutive win, besting Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and claiming the state’s 17 electoral votes. Trump also won in Wyoming, Louisiana
Also Read: US election results 2024 key takeaways: Donald Trump, Kamala Harris secure early wins as focus turns to key battlegrounds