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Americans are casting their votes in the 2024 US Election, a historic contest that could be decided by results in a select few states. Due to the unique structure of the Electoral College, which ultimately selects the next president, the US Election this year has intensified focus on the battleground states. At the center of the political stage are Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, each vying to lead the nation amid sharp divisions and competing visions for the future. This US Election is a critical moment for the country, as the outcome between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris could reshape America’s social and political landscape.
If Kamala Harris wins, she will not only be the first female president in US history but also the first Black woman and first person of South Asian descent to hold the office, marking a transformative milestone in American leadership. On the other hand, Donald Trump, if victorious, would be the first person convicted of a felony to be elected to the presidency, adding yet another historical element to the US Election of 2024. Trump’s campaign has continued despite legal challenges, including a conviction on 34 felony counts related to a New York hush-money case. This US Election will define his legacy and test his continued influence over American politics.
Both Trump and Harris are heavily focusing their efforts on the seven key swing states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Each of these states follows its own rules for counting ballots, and with legal challenges likely, the winner of the 2024 US Presidential Election may not be declared immediately. The uncertainty surrounding the counting process echoes previous US Elections—for instance, in 2020, President Joe Biden was only declared the winner by the Associated Press four days after Election Day. Even then, some results, like North Carolina's for Trump, took longer to confirm, with recounts prolonging Georgia’s decision by over two weeks. The current race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump appears even tighter, suggesting that Americans may be in for another extended period of waiting before a clear victor emerges.
Ultimately, the 2024 US Election stands as a defining moment in American history. The battle between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will likely have enduring effects on the nation's direction, impacting policies, social norms, and America's role on the global stage. This pivotal US Election will be remembered as a landmark in the ongoing story of a nation deeply divided yet resilient, grappling with change and continuity through its democratic processes. Whether Harris or Trump prevails, the outcome of this US Election will shape America’s path forward for years to come.
Here is a timeline of key events that follow Election Day
Election Day is on November 5. In most elections, the result is evident overnight. Sometimes, it could take days for the election result to be known, especially if it is close and mail-in ballots are a factor.
Donald Trump, the first sitting or former U.S. president to be convicted of a crime, is due to be sentenced in a Manhattan hush money case where he was found guilty of falsifying documents to cover up a payment to silence a porn star. Trump has denied wrongdoing. Sentencing was originally due to take place on Sept. 18.
Electors, who together form the Electoral College, meet in their respective states and the District of Columbia to select the president and vice president.
The electoral votes must be received by this date by the president of the Senate - a role held by the vice president, currently Kamala Harris - and the archivist.
The vice president presides over the Electoral College vote count at a joint session of Congress, announces the results and declares who has been elected. Ahead of the count on Jan. 6, 2021, then-President Trump lambasted vice president Mike Pence for refusing to try to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden's victory over Trump. On that day, the Capitol was attacked by Trump supporters. Biden's win was certified early the next day.
The inauguration of the election winner and their vice president takes place on the West Front of the US Capitol. At this ceremony, the victor and the vice president are officially sworn into office.