The 2024 United States presidential election is quickly approaching, with less than a month left before the big day.
, millions will head to the polls if they haven’t already voted early – and cast ballots to choose the new leader of America.
Kamala Harris is the democratic nominee, and Donald Trump is the republican party’s nominee.
The pair are currently in a neck to neck race, with recent polls revealing just how divided the nation is.
Even after the final polls close in America, it may take weeks for an official tally to be released, as each state is left to make their own counting procedures.
But often a clear winner is known within hours of the polls closing and the initial votes being tallied.
What is the Electoral College?
In America, the Electoral College is a group of people who elect the president and vice president. Even after Americans cast their ballots, the vote isn’t really in their hands alone.
The process of the Electoral College isn’t a popular vote. Some candidates win the Electoral College – and a seat in the Oval Office – but lose the popular vote.
Let’s say someone living in Texas – which has 40 electors – votes for Trump. In an annoyingly pedantic way, that person isn’t voting for Trump, they’re voting for the 40 electors to vote for Trump.
That Texan is, in effect, electing the electors to elect the president.
The founding fathers at the time thought this was a great idea to ensure that states with smaller populations didn’t feel ignored. Modern-day critics, however, feel it’s rooted in racism and is wildly convoluted.
When will we know the results?
Polls in most states close around 7pm on Election Day, and that’s when the tally begins. But given America is so large – Alaska and Hawaii still have voters turning up late due to the time difference – the official results aren’t available for a while.
It’s usually known who has won the election within a few days of the vote, but results won’t be finalised for weeks – or months.
Happy voting, America.
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