US election 2024
Final spurt around the White House: dates, process and current information
The two candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will compete against each other in the 2024 US election. Everything you need to know about the presidential election dates now.
In the 2024 US election, the two candidates Kamala Harris (Democrats) and Donald Trump (Republicans) represent completely opposite visions for America. Election Day is less than two weeks away. Until then, Harris and Trump will fight for every single vote.
When will the 2024 US election take place?
US citizens will vote on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The opening times of the polling stations vary depending on the district. They usually open early in the morning and close by 9 p.m. at the latest.
Because of the time difference between Europe and North America, the elections there start when it is midday here. For example, there is a six hour difference between Washington, DC, and Berlin. The last votes are cast according to European time, i.e. in the middle of the night. The answer to why the 2024 US election will take place on a Tuesday can be found in this article.
As in Germany, you can vote by postal vote in the weeks before the election. In the USA this is called “mail-in voting” or “absentee voting”.
When will the first projections be available?
The first projections can be expected on the evening of election day. However, publication may vary depending on the state and time zone.
In some states, counting begins before polling stations close. This applies especially to the votes cast in advance. Therefore, the first numbers can appear on the screens before the official closing times.
Because of the three-hour time difference between the west and east coasts, the first projections come with a delay.
When can we expect a final election result?
The provisional election results usually appear on election night itself – in our case during the morning of November 6th. However, it may take some time for the final results to be certified and confirmed.
The final official results are usually released within a few days to a few weeks after election day. This depends on the state in question. The specific circumstances of the election also play a role.
Who are the candidates?
In the 2024 US election, current Vice President Kamala Harris will be running for the Democrats and former President Donald Trump will be running for the Republicans.
Kamala Harris is the vice president of incumbent President Joe Biden, who is no longer running for election due to age reasons. Harris announced her candidacy in July 2024 and secured the Democratic Party’s nomination in August. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is her running mate for vice president.
Harris represents a more progressive America. One of her most important issues is the right to abortion. She wants the sometimes very restrictive legislation to be relaxed. The slogans of her election campaign are “hope” and “freedom”. She sees America as a country that faces challenges but is still functioning and friendly to people.
Donald Trump is running to win back the presidency. His campaign focuses on economic growth, immigration policy and “America First” issues, among other issues. Trump highlights his previous time in office and his policy priorities such as tax reform and deregulation. Unlike Harris, he describes an America that is on the verge of collapse and only he can save it.
Who do the polls see as being ahead?
While Joe Biden had fallen significantly behind Donald Trump shortly before his withdrawal, Kamala Harris was able to catch up with the Republican after the start of her candidacy. Current polls put Harris several tenths of a percentage point ahead of Trump. A lot can still happen between now and election day. Even giving a bias for one of the two candidates is difficult. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have had a close race so far. These graphics on the current US poll numbers reflect the political mood in the USA.
The poll numbers are considered an important indicator of the political mood in the USA, but should be viewed with caution. A mistake in an interview, a disastrous appearance in the next TV duel or another current development can quickly turn you completely upside down.
How and when will the winner be “chosen”?
After the election, the so-called “Electoral College” meets, which consists of 538 voters. This will then elect both the new President of the USA and its Vice President on December 16, 2024.
The US Congress counts the votes and then announces the new president of the USA and their deputy. This is scheduled to take place on January 6, 2025. The official inauguration, “Inauguration Day,” will take place on January 20, 2025.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
