By : Lloyd Mahachi

The 2024 US presidential election is shaping up to be one of the closest in history, with Kamala Harris and Donald Trump neck and neck in the polls. As of November 6, 2024, Trump is projected to have won the first of seven swing states, but Harris still has a path to victory. Both candidates need to secure 270 Electoral College votes to win the presidency.

The outcome is far from certain, with key battleground states like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin still up for grabs. The vote-counting process is complex and time-consuming, particularly in the US, due to the country’s large size and varying time zones. Polls closed between 11 pm and 4 am UK time, but it may take days or even weeks to declare a winner.

In the 2020 presidential election, it took four days to announce the winner, while the 2000 election took weeks to resolve due to disputes over voting irregularities in Florida. This year’s election has seen high voter turnout and mail-in voting, which may impact the outcome. Experts predict that this election will be extremely tight, with the economy being a top issue among voters.

High voter turnout and mail-in voting may also impact the outcome. In the 2020 presidential election, it took four days to announce the winner, while the 2000 election took weeks to resolve due to disputes over voting irregularities in Florida. Election officials have been optimistic that the 2024 vote count will be smoother without the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

After a winner is declared, they aren’t officially elected until electoral votes are formally cast and counted. Electors cast votes on December 17, Congress certifies on January 6, and the new president takes office on January 20. Until then, the current president will continue in office, with the election winner known as the president-elect.

Editor : Josephine Mahachi