US elections

Polling Madness: When NZ Can Finally Celebrate the US Election Results!

Ever wondered when we’ll know who runs the USA? Here's the lowdown on US election timings - and it might just affect your next coffee break!

As the world gears up for the 2024 US presidential elections, eager Kiwis are wondering, "When will we finally know who’s got the keys to the White House?" Polls will close across the states on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, with Georgia leading the charge at 7pm ET. Meanwhile, Hawaii and Alaska will stretch the suspense into the wee hours, accepting ballots until midnight ET! As snack enthusiasts look for the best treats to devour while watching results roll in, coffee may be the only thing stronger than the election tension!

With VP Kamala Harris battling it out with former President Donald Trump, their campaigns are heating up in the critical swing states. The competition is fierce, with polls indicating a nail-biting race towards that magical 270 vote threshold. As the votes come trickling in, Kiwis can prepare to stay up late, or rise early, depending on your caffeine tolerance, to witness democracy in action. Plus, we’re sure that all the tips for watching from the comfort of your couch will make this event the latest social gathering worthy of your most chic sweatpants.

While results will start rolling in on Election Night, expect some nail-biting days afterward. Last time, it took four hotly debated days for the final results to be announced! Will we see a repeat performance of suspense in 2024? With the advanced counting processes, different states might have their results ready at various times, so you’ll need to keep those notifications on!

For all you political junkies out there, here’s a fun fact: In the 2000 election, Florida was the epicenter of chaos, leading to the infamous hanging chad debate! In contrast to that, this election will have everything from mail-in ballots to high-tech tabulation – a true testament to how far democracy has come!