When Do the Polls Close and When to Expect Results?
As Americans head to the polls on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, for the highly anticipated presidential election between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, understanding when the results will be announce requires knowledge of the complex schedule of poll closings across the nation's different time zones.
Early Evening Closures
The first wave of poll closings begins at 6:00 PM Eastern Time, with parts of Indiana and Kentucky leading the way.
By 7:00 PM ET, several crucial states will finish their voting, including:
• Georgia
• Virginia
• South Carolina
• Vermont
• Parts of Florida (8pm for parts of the Panhandle in CT)
Shortly after, at 7:30 PM ET, three significant states close their polls:
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• West Virginia
Prime Time Closings
The 8:00 PM ET hour marks one of the most significant moments of the evening, with 171 electoral votes in play across multiple states.
Key states closing at this time include:
• Pennsylvania
• New Hampshire
• Part of Florida Panhandle
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Connecticut
• New Jersey
Western States and Late Evening
By 9:00 PM ET, several battleground states conclude voting, including:
• Arizona
• Wisconsin
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Texas (most regions)
The final continental states close between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM ET, including:
• Nevada (10:00 PM ET)
• California (11:00 PM ET)
• Washington (11:00 PM ET)
• Oregon (11:00 PM ET)
When to Expect Election Results
While Americans have traditionally expected to know the winner on election night, several factors could affect the timing of results in 2024.
A Close Race
The tight race between Harris and Trump in swing states might require longer counting periods or even recounts in close contests.
State-Specific Procedures
Changes in election administration across various states since 2020 could impact reporting speeds. However, some improvements have been made:
• Michigan has streamlined its vote counting process
• Mail-in ballot volumes are expected to be lower than in 2020[1]
Historical Context
Recent presidential elections have varied in their result timing.
In 2016, Trump's victory was declared around 3:00 AM ET. However, in 2020, Biden's victory wasn't announced until November 7. Americans didn't have to wait long in 2012 when Obama's win was confirmed before midnight on election night.
Swing State Focus
Seven crucial swing states will likely determine the election outcome. Their closing times are particularly important to monitor.
| State | Poll Closing Time (ET) |
| Georgia | 7:00 PM |
| North Carolina | 7:30 PM |
| Pennsylvania | 8:00 PM |
| Michigan | 9:00 PM |
| Wisconsin | 9:00 PM |
| Arizona | 9:00 PM |
| Nevada | 10:00 PM |
Final States
The last votes will be cast in:
• Hawaii (12:00 AM ET, Wednesday)
• Alaska (1:00 AM ET, Wednesday)
Important Considerations
Election officials and media outlets cannot begin reporting results until all polls have closed in each respective state. Some states with multiple time zones have varying closing times for different regions, which can affect when complete results become available.
The 2024 election encompasses more than just the presidential race. All 435 House of Representatives seats and 34 Senate seats are also on the ballot, making this a comprehensive electoral event that will shape American politics for years to come.
Looking Ahead
While initial results will begin flowing shortly after the first poll closings at 6:00 PM ET, the final outcome might not be immediately clear. The competitive nature of the race, combined with varying state procedures and potential legal challenges, could mean that Americans might need to exercise patience before knowing their next president.
The timing of results will largely depend on margins of victory in key battleground states and the efficiency of vote counting procedures. While some states have improved their counting processes since 2020, others may require extended periods to process all ballots, especially in close races where every vote must be carefully counted.