As the highly anticipated election day approaches, the outcome of a fiercely contested race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump remains uncertain. Voters will begin to express their choices on November 5, and we can expect a night full of developments as results start to come in.

The initial insights into voter sentiment will be revealed through exit polls. Unlike those in the UK, American exit polls do not predict final results but rather provide a deeper understanding of voters' priorities and opinions across various demographic groups. These polls are conducted through interviews on election day combined with telephone surveys in key states.

Attention will be focused on pivotal swing states—Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—where the voting patterns can sway either Republican or Democrat. These battlegrounds are crucial for both candidates, as they aim to secure a majority of the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency.

Polling stations in Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, Vermont, and Virginia will close early; however, these states are not considered swing states. The first major swing state to close will be Georgia, where a tight race saw Joe Biden narrowly claim victory in the previous election. The candidate who leads in Georgia stands to gain 16 vital electoral votes.

As the evening progresses, polls will also close at 19:30 EST in North Carolina, where there is significant interest in the governor’s race between Josh Stein and Mark Robinson. Ohio will close at the same time; Trump’s running mate JD Vance currently serves as senator there. Major media outlets may begin calling results based on projected leads before all votes are counted.

As night falls and more polls close—especially in key states like Pennsylvania with its 19 electoral votes—the excitement builds. Around 20:30 EST, expect additional exit poll data that breaks down voting trends by age, race, and education level.

Later closures include Arizona and Nevada; both parties have made concerted efforts to appeal to working-class voters there. By 23:00 EDT, polling will conclude across most states on the mainland U.S., with Hawaii and Alaska closing later.

Unlike previous elections where results were quickly determined after California’s polls closed, this year could see delays due to an increase in mail-in voting. Each state has different rules regarding when such ballots are counted.

Beyond the presidential race, voters will also elect members of Congress with all House seats up for grabs and numerous Senate positions being contested. Issues like abortion regulation are also on ballots in several states.

While anticipation builds for a winner announcement on election night, history suggests that this may not happen swiftly due to various factors influencing vote counting. The outcome may mirror past contentious elections where results took days or even longer to finalize.