When will the US election results be known? What happened in previous elections?

US election results are sometimes announced on a state-by-state basis a few hours after the polls close. Counting operations will begin as the polls close. However, this year's neck-and-neck race could mean a longer wait.

The first polls will close on Tuesday evening at 6:00 PM local time (02:00 GMT+3) and the last polls will close on Wednesday morning at 1:00 AM local time (09:00 GMT+3).

In some presidential races, the winner is determined late on election night or early the next morning.

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris

US MEDIA 'MAY NOT ANNOUNCE' PROJECTIONS

This time, the razor-thin race in many states could mean that media outlets will wait longer before projecting a winner.

Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former president Donald Trump have been running neck-and-neck for weeks.

Close results could also mean recounts.

For example, in the key state of Pennsylvania, a recount is required if there is a half-percentage-point difference between the votes cast for the winner and the loser. In 2020, the margin was only around 1.1 points.

Other scenarios that could cause delays include any election-related incidents, particularly potential disruptions at polling centers.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump

WHEN WERE THE RESULTS ANNOUNCED IN PREVIOUS ELECTIONS?

In the 2020 election, US television networks did not declare Joe Biden the winner for four days, until the election result in Pennsylvania was clear.

In 2016, Trump was declared the winner a few hours after the polls closed, at 3:00 AM US time.

In 2012, when Barack Obama won his second presidential race, the results were also announced at midnight.

However, the 2000 election between George W. Bush and Al Gore was a notable exception. The race was not concluded for five weeks until the US Supreme Court ruled on the recount process in Florida.

News Source: 12punto