Here we go, the wait is over. USA at the polls, today November 5, for The 2024 presidential election in which Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will compete for the final vote. From midnight, with the first results from Indiana and Kentucky, until 6 in the morning, with those from Alaska and Hawaii on Wednesday, the long marathon of the American election night will begin, and the polls closed at different times in the states crossed by six zones different time. And it is not certain that the name of the winner between the branches and the tycoon who will run for the White House will still be known at the end of the long marathon.
due to the last vote
Indeed, this is unlikely to happen, considering how the polls continue to describe the duel as a head-to-head for the final vote, even if we are not expected to have to wait five days, as it turned out four. years ago because the counting procedures of the various states were not equipped to cope with the very high number of postal votes that came in the middle of the pandemic.
High percentages of advance and mail-in voting are expected again this year, but many states have updated their procedures to speed up the process. In these hours, the American media continues to publish US electoral maps, with many red states, but less populated, i.e. considered safe for Trump – including Iowa also where, according to recent polls a week, which Harris would have accepted. the lead - and those, in smaller numbers, blue, considered safe for the Democrat.
According to CNN calculations, Harris could count on 226 electoral votes and Trump on 219, and the two candidates would lack 44 and 51 electoral votes respectively to reach the vote. magic number of 270 votes to have a majority in the Electoral College. Votes that must be won in the seven main states, in yellow on the map. This is in detail the final time of the polls in these states where the decisive game for the White House is being played and, for orientation, the time when the Associated Press – which traditionally spreads the results – gave the first projections and then announced . the winner four years ago.
Georgia (16 electoral votes)
With the closing of the polls scheduled for 7pm local time, at 1am in Italy, it will be the first of the main states from which the first data will come. In 2020, the first results were announced twenty minutes after the polls closed in the state formally awarded to Biden on November 19, 16 days after the vote, by which time the Democrats had already reached 270 electoral votes and he won the presidential elections. .
North Carolina (16 electoral votes)
Half an hour later, at 7.30 pm, 1.30 pm here, the first data will also be coming from the Sun Belt state, where the Democrats have won the presidential elections only twice since 1968. The competitive state, however, continues to Trump won in 2020 by one point. In 2020 the first results were announced at 7.42pm, with the victory of the Republicans on 13 November. Vote counting and ballot processes may be delayed this year in the counties hardest hit by Hurricane Helene.
Pennsylvania (19 electoral votes)
The polls close at 8pm local time, 2am in Italy, in the main state that is considered the most important of all, the one you cannot lose to win the White House. In 2020 the first results were announced nine minutes after the polls closed, but Biden won only on November 7, with a direct advantage of 80 thousand votes, his home state and the number of electoral votes that gave him the presidency.
Michigan (15 electoral votes)
With the state divided into two ‘time zones’, polls will close between 8pm and 9pm Washington time, 2am and 3am in Italy. Four years ago, the first results were announced at 8.08pm, and Biden was declared the winner in the evening of the following day, once again winning the Midwestern state that had been part of the so-called “Blue Wall” until that Trump’s decisive victory was surprising. in 2016. a group of states that have voted Dem in presidential elections for nearly 30 years.
Arizona (11 electoral votes)
At 9pm Washington time, three in the morning in Italy, the polls also close in Arizona. The first results in the state usually come an hour after all polls close, and four years ago they were announced at 10.02pm. Biden was declared the winner at 2.51am the following day, the second Democrat to win the state in almost 70 years.
Wisconsin (10 electoral votes)
At three in the morning the polls also close in this state which, like Michigan and Pennsylvania, was part of the “Blue Wall” before Trump’s victory in 2016. The first results were reported four years ago at 9.09pm and Biden was declared the same . winner at 2.16pm the following day, by a margin of less than one per cent.
Nevada (6 electoral votes)
It will be the last of the main states to close the polls, at 10pm Washington time, four in the morning in Italy. State election law does not allow results to begin being released until the last person in line has voted. Four years ago the first results were released at 11.41pm Washington time, and Biden’s victory was announced on November 7, the day he won the presidency.
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Interview Between Time.news Editor and Political Analyst
Time.news Editor: Good morning and welcome to this special segment on the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. Joining us today is Dr. Emily Thompson, a political analyst and expert in electoral processes. Emily, thank you for being here.
Dr. Emily Thompson: Thank you for having me. It’s an exciting time in American politics!
Time.news Editor: Absolutely! The nation is gearing up for a long marathon of election night. Today, voters are casting their ballots in a highly anticipated rematch between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. What stands out to you about this election compared to previous ones?
Dr. Emily Thompson: This election has some intriguing dynamics. For one, the heightened prevalence of advance and mail-in voting is still very much in play, as we saw during the pandemic. Many states have updated their counting procedures to handle these votes more efficiently, which may minimize the delays we experienced four years ago.
Time.news Editor: Right, and with a tight race forecasted, do you believe we might see a quick declaration of a winner this time?
Dr. Emily Thompson: It’s difficult to say. The projections indicate this could be another close election, especially given the shifts in key battleground states. While recent polls suggest Kamala Harris could secure 226 electoral votes and Trump 219, both candidates still need to aggressively chase down the 270-vote threshold to win. That means a lot of focus will be on states like Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania—each of which carries significant electoral weight.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of those states, let’s break down their importance. Georgia, for example, will close its polls at 7 PM local time. How critical is that state in this election?
Dr. Emily Thompson: Georgia is crucial—it has 16 electoral votes and was a surprising gain for Biden in 2020. This year, it’s expected to be competitive again. If either candidate can solidify support in Georgia early, it could provide momentum for the rest of the night. Historically, we’ve also seen considerable delays in results here due to complex voting procedures, so it could be quite a while before we have a clear picture.
Time.news Editor: What about other states, like Pennsylvania, which closes its polls at 8 PM?
Dr. Emily Thompson: Pennsylvania is often viewed as the linchpin of the election. With 19 electoral votes at stake, winning Pennsylvania could very well determine the outcome. In 2020, Biden was declared the winner in the state after a long wait, and I would not be surprised if we see a similar scenario this year, especially with various counties using different voting methods and possible delays in counting.
Time.news Editor: Given the structure of the Electoral College, how likely do you think it is that we might not know a definitive winner even after the polls close?
Dr. Emily Thompson: There’s certainly that possibility, especially with the potential for close results and the fact that many states have extended deadlines for counting mail-in ballots. While we hope for a quicker resolution, there are many variables at play that could lead to extended counting and reporting times. It’s crucial for voters to be patient and trust the electoral process.
Time.news Editor: Great insights, Emily. Before we conclude, how do you think the American public should prepare for this night of uncertainty?
Dr. Emily Thompson: Staying informed through reliable news sources is key. Voters should also remember that election nights can often be dramatic, and outcomes may take longer than anticipated. It’s important to engage in discussions about the implications of various results and remain open to the ongoing nature of democracy.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Thompson, for sharing your expertise with us today. It’s shaping up to be an electrifying election night!
Dr. Emily Thompson: Thank you for having me. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds!