The tight race between Harris and Trump means Election Day results may take time
As Americans head to the polls, it is becoming clear that while some early results may be available on Election Night, the final outcome may take days to confirm. US election results are typically reported progressively, with initial indicators often emerging throughout election night. However, the final count can stretch beyond that, particularly in tight races or in states with significant numbers of mail-in ballots.
Vice president Kamala Harris is currently polling at a mere one per cent higher than former president Donald Trump. With numbers this close, election results will not be immediately apparent. Polls close at different times across the country due to time zone differences. The earliest closures occur on the East Coast around 19:00 Eastern Time, while polls in the Pacific Time Zone typically close by 20:00 Pacific. As each state’s polls close, votes begin to be counted and results reported. However, because states have their own election procedures, some results will come in faster than others.
Key battleground states, such as Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona and Wisconsin, often attract early attention, as they can give a sense of the direction of the presidential race. Many of these states are accustomed to high turnout and complex vote counts, meaning results may not be fully available until the early morning hours or possibly even days later if the margins are slim.
Impact of mail-in and early voting
Mail-in and early voting have increased in recent elections, allowing many Americans to cast ballots before Election Day. Some states begin counting these ballots as they are received, while others wait until Election Day itself. This variability can affect how quickly results are finalised. In states like Florida, where early votes are counted ahead of time, preliminary results may emerge faster. In contrast, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin do not start counting mail-in ballots until Election Day, which can delay their final results.
More than 83 million Americans have already voted, according to the University of Florida Election Lab's nationwide early vote tracker, with women accounting for 54 per cent.
Possible tie
Because both candidates are polling within a one per cent margin, there is the possibility of a tie with Harris and Trump receiving 269 out of the possible 270 electoral college votes. While this scenario has not occurred in 200 years, the race is as tight as ever. If this situation arises, members of the House of Representatives would vote to choose the president in a process called contingent election.
The anticipation of election night often leads to early conclusions, but as was evident in the 2020 election, the tide can turn in the following days as mail-in ballots and absentee ballots are counted. The last election night saw Trump leading in several key states, but Biden overtook him as mail ballots, heavily favoured by Democrats at the time, were counted.
© PHOTO LEONARDO MUNOZ / AFP
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