The 2024 U.S. presidential election is expected to follow a structured timeline for polling and vote counting. As citizens head to the polls on November 5, 2024, each state has set its own schedule for when polling places open and close. Poll closing times vary significantly, ranging from early evening to midnight Eastern Time (ET), depending on each state’s regulations.
Poll Closing Times and Time Zones
Polls generally close as early as 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) and may stay open until 12:00 a.m. ET. To give all citizens equal voting opportunities, polls in western states like California and Alaska close later due to their time zone differences.
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Vote Counting Begins
Once polls close, election workers begin counting ballots. States with high in-person voting, especially those that allowed early in-person voting, may report initial results shortly after polls close. These results often include early voting and mail-in ballots processed ahead of time in states that allow “pre-canvassing” before Election Day.
Key battleground states, such as Florida and Arizona, can start processing ballots before Election Day. This allows them to quickly release early results after polls close. However, states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin do not allow processing of mail-in ballots until Election Day. As a result, complete results may take longer to arrive.
Timeline for Election Results
Early results may be available on election night, but full results depend on several factors:
- Volume of Mail-In Ballots: States with high mail-in voting may experience slower counts as ballots take longer to verify and process.
- Close Races: In key states with close races, official results may take longer due to careful counting and verification of ballots.
- Legal and Technical Protocols: Each state has legal requirements for processing and verifying ballots, which can extend the timeline.
Officials generally expect faster counting this year compared to the 2020 election due to updated procedures and reduced mail-in voting. However, Americans and international observers should be ready for the possibility that final results may take a few days, especially in competitive states where every ballot matters.
For real-time updates and state-by-state information, news outlets like Politico will provide live coverage on election night.
