1. Election date and when the results will be
On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, the US presidential election takes place. However, a number of states allow so-called early voting – voting before election day – as well as voting by mail. On Tuesday at midnight CET, the first polling stations in Kentucky and Indiana will close, and on Wednesday at 7:00 CET, the last polling stations in Alaska and Hawaii will close.
The first results will be known after midnight, it should be clearer on Wednesday morning (CET). The results of the election are usually known mostly on Wednesdays between 3:00 CET and 6:00 CET. However, the complete results can take much longer (e.g. Joe Biden’s victory was announced only on the fourth day after the election). In addition, the counting may be extended, especially considering the equal chances of both candidates. News will follow the vote counting process in an online report.
Almost a third of voters have already voted in the US presidential elections
US elections
2. Trump vs. Harris
In addition to the two largest political parties in the United States, there are a number of smaller ones, sometimes referred to as so-called third parties. The most prominent of these are the Libertarian Party and the Green Party. However, apart from Democrats and Republicans, no other candidate usually receives high voter support. Other interested parties can run as independent candidates.
PHOTO: Which celebrities supported Trump and which Harris
US elections
3. Pre-election polls
On November 4, 2024, polls put Harris at 47.9% and Trump at 47.0%. In American elections, however, it is not the total number of votes obtained that is important, but the total number of voters obtained. The election will decide who wins the majority in key states – and thus all their voters.
2. How votes are counted
Compared to the Czech ones, the American presidential elections are not direct, so the absolute number of votes does not matter, the number of voters decides. Hillary Clinton, for example, won almost 2.9 million more votes than Donald Trump in 2016, yet she did not become president.
Each territory has a fixed number of voters based on the number of inhabitants. For states, this number corresponds to the state’s representation in Congress. You can have at least 3 voters, there are a total of 538 voters. California (54) and Texas (40) have the most voters, Alaska, Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Wyoming and Washington DC have the fewest (three elections each). In most states, the candidate with the most American votes wins all of that state’s electors.
Direct election of members of the Electoral College takes place on Tuesday, November 5. After the complete counting of votes and their official confirmation, they will meet on December 17, 2024 in the capitals of the individual states and vote separately for the president and vice president. To be elected, a majority of all is required – i.e. at least 270 voters.
The Constitution does not mandate that the voter must adhere to the candidate for whom he is supposed to vote. Some states do not count the votes of these “unfaithful voters” and replace them with new voters, others even punish them with fines or imprisonment. These cases are rare and have never overturned an election.
How the US President is elected
US elections
5. What will happen after the elections
It is usually clear from the results already after election day who won enough voters. He is immediately titled as President-elect. The acting president subsequently helps the smooth takeover of power with his team. Meetings are taking place with future members of the government to familiarize themselves with the functioning of the authorities. The future president also has security. Officially, however, this position can only be discussed after the meeting of the Congress, which confirms the results of the vote of the Electoral College.
The term of office of the elected president begins on January 20. On that day, the inauguration takes place where the President and Vice President take their oaths.
Do you know all the American presidents? List, points of interest and history
US elections
