As the 2024 US presidential election enters its final stretch, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are focusing their last campaign efforts on key battleground states.
Story Summary:
- Election Day is on Tuesday, 5 November 2024, with millions of Americans casting ballots early.
- Five crucial dates follow Election Day, including certification and Electoral College deadlines.
- The final outcome depends on pivotal swing states, where both candidates are neck and neck.
US elections: Top stories on Monday, 4 November 2024
Polling data reveals a near tie, with Harris holding a slight national lead but Trump gaining traction in essential states such as Georgia, Arizona, and North Carolina.
Over 75 million Americans have already voted, indicating high public engagement in this contentious race.
Recent polling from FiveThirtyEight and RealClearPolitics highlights a razor-thin margin between Harris and Trump.
FiveThirtyEight gives Trump a 53% chance of winning compared to Harris’ 47%, while RealClearPolitics shows Trump with a 0.3 percentage-point lead nationally.
The close race has led election forecasters to label the contest a “pure toss-up,” with both candidates striving to secure the support of undecided voters in the final hours.
Swing states remain central to both campaigns.
Trump is leading in several states, including Arizona and Georgia, while Harris has narrow leads in Michigan and Wisconsin.
Pennsylvania, often considered a bellwether, remains in a virtual tie.
Key issues shaping voter preferences include the economy, immigration, and abortion rights, with voter demographics playing a vital role.
Black voters in Georgia and North Carolina and Latino voters in Nevada and Arizona are considered essential blocs for both campaigns.
Five important US election dates you must know about
Understanding the timeline after Election Day on 5 November is essential as votes are counted, and states work through critical steps to certify the election results.
Here are five dates that play a pivotal role in the election process:
- Tuesday, 5 November 2024 – Election Day
This is the primary day for voters to cast their ballots, determining the next President, Congress members, and other key offices across the United States. Polls will close at different times across the country, after which initial results begin rolling in. Due to the competitive nature of the election and extensive early voting, results from battleground states could shape the night, with officials in some states potentially needing extra time to count votes accurately. - 6 November to 17 December 2024 – State Certification Deadlines
Once Election Day concludes, each state enters a certification period where officials verify and count votes. Each state has its deadline for finalising results, generally falling between mid-November and early December. These certifications play a critical role in confirming the outcome, especially in close races. During this time, any discrepancies or recounts are resolved to ensure accurate counts, as state officials validate and sign off on the results. Most certifications are completed by early December. - 10 December 2024 – Safe Harbour Deadline
Known as the “Safe Harbour” deadline, this date ensures that states have resolved any electoral disputes and finalised their results. Meeting this deadline assures that the state’s electoral votes are protected from challenges in Congress. States that complete their certification by this date secure their votes for the Electoral College, solidifying their role in determining the final election outcome. This deadline prevents potential conflicts when Congress formally counts electoral votes. - 16 December 2024 – Electoral College Meeting
Electors convene in each state on this day to cast their formal votes for President and Vice President. These electors, selected based on the popular vote in each state, gather to submit their votes according to the election outcome in their respective states. The electors’ votes are then sealed and sent to the President of the Senate, awaiting the official Congressional count. While traditionally a procedural step, the Electoral College meeting is critical in formalizing the election results. - 6 January 2025 – Congressional Certification of Electoral College Votes
Congress holds a joint session to count and certify the Electoral College votes, formally confirming the President-elect and Vice President-elect. The President of the Senate, typically the Vice President, presides over the certification process. If there are no challenges, the vote count proceeds smoothly, marking the final step in confirming the next President. However, if any objections arise, they must be debated and resolved per constitutional requirements. Once certified, the results signal the end of the election process, paving the way for Inauguration Day.
As the US election progresses, the attention will remain on the states’ certification process and the adherence to these critical deadlines.
