Americans are preparing to cast their votes for the next president in a general election scheduled for Tuesday, November 5. As polls close, it is possible that a winner will not be announced immediately. Here’s what to expect during this significant event.
The race is particularly tight between Democrat Kamala Harris, the current vice president, and Republican Donald Trump, the former president. Recent polls indicate that margins of victory could be very narrow, potentially leading to recounts in several states.
As changes have been made to how states administer elections since 2020, results may come in at varying speeds. For instance, while some places like Michigan have improved vote-counting efficiency, fewer mail-in ballots are expected this time compared to the last election during the Covid pandemic.
“The 2020 election took place on November 3, but networks did not declare Joe Biden the winner until late morning on November 7.”
Across the country, polls will close at different times:
Typically, votes cast on election day are counted first, followed by early and mail ballots. Local officials verify and process individual votes through a process known as canvassing.
Tight margins might lead media outlets to hold off on projections, raising concerns about potential recounts or legal challenges. For instance, Pennsylvania mandates an automatic statewide recount if results differ by less than 0.5%—a threshold narrowly surpassed during the 2020 election.
Over 100 pre-election lawsuits have already emerged nationwide, causing ongoing shifts in the electoral landscape. Delays might also arise from polling location issues or unexpected circumstances like those experienced during previous elections.
Once all valid votes are counted and any necessary recounts completed, results will be certified at both local and state levels before electors meet on December 17 to cast their votes for president.
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