As the historic 2024 US presidential election reaches its climax, tens of millions of Americans are casting their ballots to determine the nation’s next leader. In an unprecedented race that saw the incumbent president withdraw from his party’s ticket and two assassination attempts against the Republican nominee, voters are more engaged than ever. With voter turnout expected to rival the record-breaking numbers of 2020, the stakes couldn’t be higher for candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
Navigating Election Night: An Hour-by-Hour Guide
As the first polls close and results start trickling in, here’s a timeline of the key moments to watch for:
6pm ET: Early Indicators
Polls close in parts of Kentucky and Indiana, two reliably red states where Trump is expected to secure easy victories. While these states won’t provide much insight into the overall race, they’ll set the tone for the night ahead.
7pm ET: All Eyes on Georgia
The first major battleground state to watch is Georgia, where polls close at 7pm ET. Biden narrowly carried the state in 2020, but Trump appears to have a slight edge this time around. A strong showing for Democrats here could signal a promising night ahead for Harris.
Florida and Virginia also start reporting results at this hour, with key House races in play that could provide early clues about control of Congress.
8pm ET: The Keystone State
Polls close in Pennsylvania at 8pm ET, a state that could decide the presidency. Both candidates have poured immense resources into the Keystone State, with Trump declaring, “If we win Pennsylvania, we win the whole thing.” Democrats are also eyeing potential Senate and House flips here.
“If we win Pennsylvania, we win the whole thing. It’s very simple.”
– Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally
9pm ET: The Blue Wall
Harris’s path to victory likely runs through the “blue wall” states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, all of which report results by 9pm ET. If Trump can flip even one of these states that Biden won in 2020, it could spell trouble for Democrats.
Several critical Senate races will also be called at this hour, including potentially decisive contests in Michigan and Wisconsin. Republican victories here could cement their control of the upper chamber.
11pm ET: The West Coast Weighs In
California, Harris’s home state, reports results at 11pm ET along with several other western states. While Harris is virtually guaranteed to carry California, key House races here could determine control of the lower chamber. Democrats are banking on flipping several GOP-held seats to regain a majority.
The Waiting Game
By midnight Eastern Time, Americans will likely have a much clearer picture of who will occupy the White House come January. However, if the race is as tight as polls suggest, the nation may need to brace for a longer vote counting process, possibly stretching for days as we saw in 2020.
Regardless of the timeline, one thing is certain: the 2024 presidential election will be a defining moment for the United States. As voters navigate an unprecedented political landscape, the decisions made on this election night will shape the nation’s course for years to come.
