The 2024 US presidential election promises to be one of the most watched and discussed in the world. Find out when the first results will be available

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On 5 November, the US will hold a presidential election in which American citizens will decide who will lead the country for the next four years. Here's a look at when to expect the first voting results and what you need to know about the forecasts the day before the vote.

When should we expect the results?

Polling stations in the US are open from early morning to late evening, but due to the large number of time zones (from Eastern to Pacific), the first results start coming in late at night. With polls closed on the East Coast, results will start coming in around 20:00 local time (3:00 Kyiv time).

Results for key states - the so-called ‘swing’ states that could change the overall outcome of the election - are often of particular interest. Official figures for these states usually start coming in a few hours after polls close, but the final tally may take longer due to the scrutiny and consideration of all forms of voting, including postal and early ballots.

The key states in this election are those that have traditionally been highly competitive between the parties: Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina and Nevada. These regions are called ‘swing states’ because there is no clear advantage for any of the candidates. It is the results of voting in these states that may affect the final outcome of the election.

On the day of the election, American citizens and the rest of the world will be able to follow the situation through online resources and TV channels. However, the final result may not be known until several hours after the last polling stations on the Pacific coast close. In cases where the difference between the candidates is minimal, additional time may be needed to recount votes and clarify data.

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Trump and Harris' ratings the day before the US presidential election

According to the latest polls, the race remains tense the day before the vote. The situation in the ratings fluctuates depending on the source of data, but on average, the candidates are running with a minimal difference.

According to a Wall Street Journal poll, 47% of voters were ready to support Trump last week, compared to 45% for Harris. However, the gap is within the statistical margin of error.

Ten days before the election, the candidates were tied in seven swing states. A BloombergNews/Morning Consult poll showed 49% each with a margin of error of one percent. A national Reuters/Ipsos poll showed 44% for Harris and 43% for Trump.

A more recent Times/YouGov poll shows Harris with a slight lead in four of the seven key states. She leads in Wisconsin (49% to 45%), Pennsylvania (49% to 46%), Michigan (48% to 45%) and Nevada (48% to 47%). Trump is more supported in North Carolina (49% vs. 48%) and Georgia (48% vs. 47%). In Arizona, both have 48%.

Despite the roughly equal ratings, the US presidential election depends on the results in each state. The Electoral College, which is the aggregate of state votes, determines who wins. In most states, the winner-take-all principle is applied, which means that even a slight advantage in a particular state can lead to a significant increase in the final result.

To recap. Zelenskyy's trip to Pennsylvania sparked a flurry of criticism from the Republican Party. Its leader, Donald Trump, accused the Ukrainian president of ‘attacks’ against him. We explained the essence of the scandal and its consequences in this article.

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