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Polling for the US presidential election has ended. People used their right to vote to elect one of the Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris as President.
All the countries of the world are eagerly waiting for the results of this election. US election results are sometimes available within hours of polling, other times it takes several days. This year’s race between Trump and Harris is close. So the results will take longer. Let’s see when and how to see the results.
Will the results be delayed?
In the past, the winner was announced either on the night of the election or the next morning. But this year it may take longer due to stiff competition. Candidates may be delayed further, especially in states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Georgia. If the majority is short in these key states, recounting may begin. In Pennsylvania, for example, if the margin between two candidates is less than 0.5%, the votes are recounted. As in previous elections, recounting may delay the final election results.
Also results may be delayed due to some court cases. The Republican Party has filed more than 100 pre-election petitions on issues of voter eligibility and voter registration. These legal challenges can also delay the final results if the results turn out to be disputed.
How are votes counted?
- First the votes cast by the people are counted on the polling day.
- Mail-in ballots are then counted.
- Challenged ballots (ballots with problems that require further review) are then counted.
- Afterwards foreign and military ballots will be counted.
Local election officials oversee the vote counting process to ensure that each vote is valid. There are strict rules for verifying ballot accuracy and recording any discrepancies. In states like Michigan, the counting process took longer in 2020. Now with new improvements votes can be counted faster. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, fewer people voted by mail this time compared to last election. This allows the votes to be counted quickly. Seven key states Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona and Nevada will be crucial in deciding the winner. Everyone is waiting for the results of these states which will determine the final results of the elections.
When will the key results come?
Georgia: Polls close Tuesday at 7:00 PM (EST). (Wednesday morning 5:30 in our country). About 75% of votes are counted within two hours.
North Carolina: Polls close Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. (6 am on Wednesday in India). Results can come overnight.
Pennsylvania: Voting closes Tuesday at 8 p.m. (6:30 am Wednesday in India). Experts suggest that it may take at least 24 hours to get the result.
Michigan: Voting closes Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. (Wednesday 7:30 am in India). The results will be available on Wednesday evening.
Wisconsin: Results from smaller counties will be available as soon as polls close at 9:00pm on Tuesday. (Wednesday 7:30 am in India). Results are expected on Wednesday.
Arizona: Initial results are expected by 10:00 PM on Tuesday (8:30 AM on Wednesday in India). Updates for larger counties may not come until early Wednesday.
Nevada: Mail-in ballots postmarked on Election Day are expected to arrive by Nov. 9. Hence counting may take few more days.
The Electoral College
After the final stages of counting all valid votes.. for each state, the Electoral College sets the votes based on which candidate won that state. The president is elected by electoral votes, not by national popular vote. Most states award their electoral votes to the candidate with the most votes in that state.
On January 6, the newly elected Congress will meet to officially count the electoral votes and determine the next president. Whoever gets a clear majority becomes the president. If two candidates receive an equal number of 269 electoral votes, the House of Representatives elects the President by popular vote. The Senate elects the Vice President.
When is the oath of the president?
The winner of this election will officially assume office on January 20, 2025. On this date, the president-elect will take the oath of office in Washington DC and address the nation. The inauguration will be the 60th in US history. It will set the stage for the next four years of US rule.
India’s Prospects
India has good relations with the United States. In particular, there are trade, technology, fuel and defense partnerships. The change in US leadership is likely to affect the relationship between the two countries in these areas.
Trade: India and the US regularly negotiate trade deals. These may evolve or tighten under the new administration.
Technology: The US is on top in tech innovation. India will benefit from tech partnerships. Election results may also affect this.
Energy: US is a key energy partner. There are deals especially in oil and renewable energy. The priorities of these sectors may change with the new regime.
Defence: Both countries share defence, technology and strategic interest. Different governments prioritize these partnerships differently.
