Trump vs Harris Election Showdown Live Stream: In what promises to be a historic and closely watched race, Donald Trump will face Kamala Harris in the 2024 election for the White House. After a tumultuous start to the campaign, the race took a dramatic turn when President Joe Biden withdrew following a poorly received first debate with Trump. This sets the stage for a direct contest between the former president and the current vice president.
Here’s everything you need to know about when and where to watch the 2024 US presidential election, including key dates and battleground states that could decide the outcome.
When is the 2024 US Election?
The US presidential election will take place on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. On this day, millions of Americans will head to the polls to cast their votes for the next president of the United States. In addition to the presidency, voters will also be choosing Congressional representatives for both the House of Representatives and the US Senate.
The winner will serve a four-year term starting from their inauguration on January 20, 2025.
What Are the Key Battleground States?
The path to the White House often hinges on a few crucial battleground states, where voters are evenly split between Democratic and Republican candidates. These states, which have historically flipped between parties, play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the election.
One of the most important battlegrounds is Pennsylvania, with its 19 electoral college votes. Pennsylvania has been a deciding factor in recent presidential elections, and 2024 is expected to be no different.
Donald Trump will also need to focus on flipping Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Nevada, all states that Joe Biden narrowly won in 2020. These states could again prove decisive in determining who will occupy the White House.
Meanwhile, Florida and Ohio, once considered swing states, have leaned Republican in recent elections. However, as history has shown, surprises can happen, and no state is guaranteed.
Early Voting Timeline
Many Americans opt to cast their votes early, either in person or by mail. Early voting began as early as September 11, 2024, in some states, with others following soon after. Here’s a brief timeline of when early voting starts in key states:
- September 11 – Alabama (mail voting)
- September 19 – Wisconsin
- September 20 – Minnesota, South Dakota, and Virginia
- October 7 – Georgia
- October 9 – Arizona
- October 16 – Nevada
- October 21 – Texas
- October 22 – Wisconsin
These dates allow voters to cast their ballots ahead of time, either by mail or at designated early voting locations. This is especially useful for those who may not be able to vote on election day or want to avoid long lines.
What Happens on Election Day?
On November 5, 2024, the majority of voters will head to the polls, and ballots will start being counted. Many voters may have already cast their votes via mail or early voting. As polling places close across the country, election officials will begin tabulating the results.
Polls close at different times depending on the state. For example, while ballots are being counted on the East Coast, voters in Alaska and Hawaii will still be making their way to the polls due to time zone differences.
When Will We Know the Results?
Election results are not typically finalised on election night. In recent elections, it has taken days to project a winner due to the counting of mail-in and early ballots. However, many states and news organisations will call the election based on available data before all votes are officially counted.
In 2020, for instance, the election was called for Joe Biden four days after the vote, when Pennsylvania’s results pushed him over the 270 electoral votes needed to win. In contrast, Hillary Clinton conceded to Donald Trump the morning after the 2016 election.
While election day is the culmination of months of campaigning, it may take some time to know who will become the next president of the United States. Keep an eye on key battleground states for early indications of who is leading the race.