The whole world is eagerly awaiting the outcome of the US election on November 5th, 2024. When will we see the winner of the 2024 US election? It all depends on how close the election results are and how fast the states count the votes.
The United States has 50 states and the District of Columbia. The speed of counting votes varies in each state, with some states counting votes quickly due to laws requiring faster counting processes or low mail-in voting rates. On the other hand, some states count votes slowly due to a large number of mail-in ballots or legal restrictions.
Even in states with fast counting processes, if the election results are close, it may take several days or even weeks to predict the winner. Additionally, provisional and overseas absentee ballots are usually counted after election night. When the margin is very narrow, these ballots could play a crucial role. Candidates in tight races can request a recount, which may also extend the time by several weeks.
Importantly, election results are not officially determined until they are certified. The certification time varies for each state, but it is typically a few days after election day. In 2020, the election winner was not officially confirmed until five days after election day.
Here is a compilation of the end of voting and counting times for each state in the 2024 US election, based on information from election officials and research companies:
Eastern Time 8:00 pm
In Alabama, the vast majority of votes (over 90%) are cast in person, so most votes are likely to be tallied on election night.
Second congressional district
Most areas will announce results around midnight Eastern Time, with Alaska waiting until 1:00 am.
The Election Department expects to release the first results around 1:00 am Eastern Time. They will provide updates every 30-40 minutes until around 3:00 am Eastern Time, followed by sporadic updates. These results will include election day votes and early votes since October.
The next update after the election will not be announced until November 12th. They will tally most mail-in votes, early votes from November, and provisional ballots. The results of these ballots may be released gradually before November 15th.
Since Alaska employs a ranked-choice voting system, the results seen before November 15th only reflect voters’ first choices. If no candidate receives a majority of votes, the winner will be determined during the ranked-choice voting tabulation on November 20th.
President
Likely Republican
Eastern Time 9:00 pm
Arizona will begin reporting results in all precincts or one hour after the polls close, whichever comes first, around 10:00 pm Eastern Time.
Shortly after that, counties are expected to report the results of mail-in ballots received in the days leading up to election day. It is estimated that mail-in ballots will make up a significant portion of the total votes.
However, it will take some time to count the remaining votes. Maricopa County, the largest county in the state, is estimated to report all election day votes around 5:00 am Eastern Time.
The results of mail-in ballots received on election day or before will be released over the following days. Officials estimate that counting the remaining votes will take 10-13 days. These ballots accounted for approximately 20% of the total votes in 2022.
President
Leaning Republican
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Eastern Time 8:30 pm
The state is expected to release the first results shortly after the polls close, usually including early votes and absentee votes. Historically, Arkansas has been able to tally all votes on election night.
Eastern Time 11:00 pm
The first results will be released shortly after 11:00 pm Eastern Time, but a significant portion of the votes (50% in 2022) will not be announced on election night.
California allows almost everyone to vote by mail, ballots can arrive as late as November 12th, as long as they are postmarked by election day. Therefore, it will take at least a week to get full results, and possibly longer.
By law, counties must complete counting by December 5th, but in reality, the majority of votes are tallied within two weeks after election day.
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Eastern Time 9:00 pm
Colorado law requires counties to report the first results before 10:00 pm Eastern Time. Election officials estimate they will report 60% to 70% of the votes by then. However, due to many voting rules in Colorado this year, it may take until Friday or next Monday after election day to calculate most of the remaining votes.
President
Likely Democratic
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Eastern Time 8:00 pm
Traditionally, Connecticut would tally most votes on election night, but larger counties need until Wednesday to complete counting absentee ballots.
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Eastern Time 8:00 pm
Results will start to be announced at 8:00 pm Eastern Time, with election officials expecting to reveal all results before midnight.
Eastern Time 8:00 pm
Washington, D.C., primarily votes through mail-in ballots. Most (although not all) results are expected to be announced on election night.
Most areas start at 7:00 pm Eastern Time, while a narrow strip starts at 8:00 pm Eastern Time.
Florida is one of the fastest states at tallying votes. By law, all early votes and mail-in ballots received during the early voting period must be reported within 30 minutes after the polls close. Historically, this accounts for the majority of total votes. After that, election day votes are released every 45 minutes until all votes are counted.
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Likely Republican
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Eastern Time 7:00 pm
Georgia’s vote-counting process will be faster this year. According to new regulations, counties must report early votes and absentee votes received before 8:00 pm Eastern Time on election day. This accounts for over half of all final votes. Then, from 8:00 pm to midnight, election day votes will be reported. The state’s Secretary of State’s office estimates that by 10:30 pm, 90% of votes will be reported. Counties must complete counting absentee votes by 5:00 pm on Wednesday.
President
Leaning Republican
Midnight Eastern Time
Hawaii will release votes in several batches. The first batch will consist of mail-in ballots shortly after polls close. The second batch scheduled for 3:30 am will include in-person votes and extra mail-in votes. The third batch of votes will be released after all mail-in ballots are processed, which may extend to Wednesday.
Southern Idaho at 10:00 pm Eastern Time and Northern Idaho at 11:00 pm Eastern Time
Idaho typically releases early voting and absentee voting results first. While counting may continue into the early morning hours, officials plan to tally all votes on election night.
Eastern Time 8:00 pm
Most areas will quickly announce results after voting ends, usually including early voting and early-arriving mail-in votes. The counting of election day votes typically completes by midnight Eastern Time.
Over the next few days, the state will tally mail-in votes that arrived after election day. Most votes should arrive within three to four days, but they have until November 19th to arrive, so counting will not be completed until then.
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Most areas in Eastern Time at 6:00 pm, Northwestern and Southwestern in Eastern Time at 7:00 pm
State law requires counties to report unofficial results at 8:00 pm, 10:00 pm, and midnight on election night. Additionally, counties must report results by 9:00 am on Wednesday and hourly thereafter. Larger counties may take until Wednesday to complete their counts.
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Eastern Time 9:00 pm
Almost all results are expected to be announced on election night.
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Likely Republican
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Most areas at Eastern Time 8:00 pm, the western parts at 9:00 pm
Kansas typically tallies a vast majority of votes on election night, but mail-in ballots can arrive as late as November 8th and still be valid.
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Kentucky at Eastern Time 6:00 pm, Western regions at 7:00 pm
Counties that close voting at 6:00 pm will report results shortly thereafter. Officials estimate all or almost all counties will have reported results by midnight.
Eastern Time 9:00 pm
The first results (likely early voting and absentee voting) are usually announced shortly after voting ends, with counting usually completed by 1:00 am Eastern Time.
Eastern Time 8:00 pm
Results will be announced shortly after voting ends at 8:00 pm Eastern Time, and the Secretary of State’s office expects most unofficial results to be made public on election night. Counties must report official results to the Secretary of State within two days after the election.
Maine uses ranked-choice voting, so if no candidate receives a majority, the state will conduct ranked-choice tabulation about a week after election day to determine the winner.
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Likely Democratic
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Second congressional district
Eastern Time 8:00 pm
Most areas will report early voting and received mail-in voting results after voting ends. Then, election day votes will be tallied throughout the remaining evening hours. Officials estimate that counting on election night will conclude around midnight.
However, three counties (Cecil, Dorchester, and Somerset) will not report mail-in ballot results until November 7th. All counties will continue counting mail-in ballots that arrive later, with counting going on until November 15th.
Sixth congressional district
Eastern Time 8:00 pm
Massachusetts typically has a slow tallying process. In 2022, only about half of the votes were counted on election night.
Results for election day votes, early votes since October, and mail-in votes received on or before election day will be announced on Tuesday night, Wednesday, and Thursday. Mail-in votes can arrive until November 8th as long as they are postmarked by election day, with these votes to be counted by Friday afternoon. Election officials may choose to delay counting of election day mail-in votes until a later cutoff date.
Eastern Time 8:00 pm, some parts of the Peninsula at 9:00 pm
With a new law in place, Michigan expects most areas to process absentee votes before election day, leading to faster results than in 2020 or 2022.
The Secretary of State warns that the complete picture may not be available until Wednesday but is not expected to extend beyond that. Most areas plan to finish counting on Tuesday night, but in the August primary, some cities did not complete counting until Wednesday morning at 7:00 am.
President
Too close to call
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Third congressional district
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Eastern Time 9:00 pm
Minnesota typically announces most results late on Tuesday or early Wednesday. Due to a new law, the deadline for absentee ballots has been extended to the end of voting, potentially delaying the reporting schedule slightly.
President
Likely Democratic
Senate
Second congressional district
Eastern Time 8:00 pm
Mississippi results usually take some time. In 2022, 90% of votes were only reported by Wednesday night. This year, the deadline for mail-in votes is November 13th. However, since Mississippi rarely has significant mail-in voting, most ballots should be cast before that date.
Eastern Time 8:00 pm
The state usually begins announcing results shortly after 8:00 pm. The first results, usually absentee votes, are expected to be reported by around 11:00 pm or midnight.
Eastern Time 10:00 pm
Results will be released starting at 10:00 pm Eastern Time, with a slower pace expected. In 2022, the state only reported 50% of the votes until after midnight, and in the past three elections, about 10% of votes were calculated after election night.
Senate
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Eastern Time 9:00 pm
Results will start to be released around 9:00 pm Eastern Time. Most votes are expected to be tallied on election night, but close races may require some time. The deadline for mail-in ballots is November 12th.
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Eastern Time 7:30 pm
According to the State Election Commission regulations, early and absentee votes received before election day (which make up most of North Carolina’s votes) will be reported between 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm.
Subsequently, election day votes will be published between 8:30 pm and 1:00 am. This should lead to about a 98% tally of votes in the state. Provisional votes, absentee votes received on election day, and absentee votes delivered by hurricane-affected voters will be counted over the next ten days.
President
Too close to call
First congressional district
Eastern Time 8:00 pm
The state typically releases early voting and absentee ballots first. Maryland should be able to calculate most of the vote on election night.
Eastern Time 7:30 pm
Most counties will report the first batch of ballots (early voting and absentee voting) before 8:15 pm. Election day results will be tallied throughout the remaining evening, with the counting essentially concluded by midnight.
Eastern Time 9:00 pm
Counties usually start reporting results shortly before 9:30 pm. The limited inclusion of absentee ballots goes until the early hours, and then counting will resume on Wednesday, continuing until around 2:00 am Eastern Time.
President
Too close to call
Second congressional district
Eastern Time 8:00 pm
Utah will not release any results until the last voter has cast their vote. Since Utah is a mail-in voting state, ballots can arrive as late as November 12th to 19th. Historically, half to two-thirds of the votes were released on election night, with the remainder released over several days.
Eastern Time 7:00 pm
Vermont is predominantly mail-in voting, but the state does not accept mail-in votes received after election day, so nearly all results will be available on election night. The Secretary of State’s office expects results to start around 7:00 pm and be mostly completed by midnight.
Eastern Time 7:00 pm
Results are expected to begin shortly after voting ends at 7:00 pm Eastern Time, and election officials expect most unofficial results to be publicly known before 1:00 am.
Eastern Time 8:00 pm
Virginia typically counts votes quickly on election night. However, the state will not reach 100% tally until November 8th, which is the deadline for mail-in ballots to arrive.
President
Likely Democratic
Second congressional district
Seventh congressional district
Eastern Time 11:00 pm
Most of the total votes will be reported quickly, with election officials estimating the reporting of early voting and absentee ballots received before election day around 11:15-11:20 pm. Further results will be announced on Wednesday. The latest date for mail-in ballots to arrive is November 26th. Votes received on or after November 5th will be processed in the days following the election.
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Eastern Time 7:30 pm
Historically, New Hampshire has reported preliminary results before 9:30 pm and tended to stabilize counts until midnight or 1:00 am. Typically, about 10% of the final vote is tallied the next day.
President
Likely Democratic
First congressional district
Second congressional district
Eastern Time 8:00 pm
Early voting and absentee voting are expected to be announced first. In 2022, New Jersey tallied about three-quarters of votes on election night, possibly reaching 90% this year. However, the deadline for mail-in ballots is November 11th.
Seventh congressional district
Eastern Time 9:00 pm
Most counties usually report results shortly before 9:30 pm. The inclusion of absentee ballots ends at around 1:00 am, followed by a pause in counting until Wednesday morning at 11:30 am. The Secretary of State’s office estimates most unofficial results will be announced before 2:00 am Eastern Time.
President
Likely Democratic
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Eastern Time 9:00 pm
Results will be released shortly after 9:00 pm. A substantial portion of the votes may be tallied on election night, but it may take some time for closely contested races. The deadline for mail-in ballots is November 12th.
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Eastern Time 8:00 pm
Michigan counties are expected to release results faster this year due to a new law requiring processing of absentee ballots before election day.
The Secretary of State cautions that the full picture may not be available until Wednesday but should not extend beyond that. Most jurisdictions intend to complete counting on Tuesday night, but in the August primary, some cities did not finish counting until Wednesday morning at 7:00 am.
President
Too close to call
Senate
First congressional district
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Eastern Time 9:00 pm
Minnesota usually announces most results late on Tuesday or early on Wednesday. Due to a new law, the deadline for absentee ballots is set to the end of voting, delaying the reporting schedule slightly.
President
Likely Democratic
Senate
Second congressional district
Eastern Time 8:00 pm
Mississippi results usually take some time. In 2022, 90% of votes were only reported by Wednesday night. This year, the deadline for mail-in votes is November 13th. However, since Mississippi rarely has significant mail-in voting, most ballots should be cast before that date.
Eastern Time 8:00 pm
The state usually begins announcing results shortly after 8:00 pm. The first results, usually absentee votes, are expected to be reported by around 11:00 pm or midnight.
Eastern Time 10:00 pm
Results will be released starting at 10:00 pm Eastern Time, with a slower pace expected. In 2022, the state only reported 50% of the votes until after midnight, and in the past three elections, about 10% of votes were in the following days.
Senate
First congressional district
Eastern Time 9:00 pm
Results will be published starting at 9:00 pm Eastern Time. Most areas will first report early voting, then election day voting, and some counties will release all types of votes together. The Secretary of State’s office estimates about 96% of all votes will be reported on election night. The state will report the remaining votes regularly over the following weeks, with the first update set for November 8th.
Senate
Second congressional district
Eastern Time 10:00 pm
Votes will be announced formally a few hours after voting ends. In 2022, results were not reported until close to 1:00 am, with all types of votes tallied accounting for a large percentage of the final tally. However, the speed of subsequent updates is slow, with many early votes cast by mail requiring several days