Election

Stuck in the Election Time Warp: Will We Ever Know Who Wins?

As the 2024 US presidential election approaches, find out when we'll finally know who the winner is and which swing states to keep an eye on!

The stakes are high as we inch closer to the 2024 US presidential election, with millions set to cast their votes on November 5, 2024. But if you’re hoping for a straightforward, Hollywood-style ending on election night, you might be in for a plot twist! Historically, the timing for calling an election winner can be as unpredictable as trying to catch a Kiwi on a rainy day in Wellington. While polls in some states will close as early as 7 PM ET, others like Hawaii and Alaska will keep the suspense going until midnight! So, while you’re munching on your popcorn, don’t be surprised if no clear winner emerges until the sun rises—or several days later, much like waking up after a wild night out and trying to remember how you got home.

In the 2020 election, the Associated Press declared Joe Biden the winner four days after the polls closed, sending Americans on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and nail-biting suspense. What should we expect this year? Experts believe that swing states will once again play a pivotal role in determining the outcome, making them the equivalent of the infamous party-crasher at a wedding. Georgia’s early results will come in quickly, setting the tone for the night, while those states with extended counting times might keep us on the edge of our seats a little longer, giving a whole new meaning to ‘counting sheep’!

However, it's not just about the states actively counting votes; it’s also about the narratives leading up to the big day. With Trump and Harris battling for key states, the political landscape is more charged than a pair of your neighbor’s pet unruly dogs. It seems the return of the Trump effect from 2016 is still very much alive, with officials still feeling the aftershocks. Equally, don't forget the lessons learned from the last electoral shenanigans! Voter turnout is anticipated to be exceptionally high, especially with early voting on the rise, meaning a larger festive crowd at the polling stations—think of it as the election equivalent of a music festival!

As fascinating as the run-up to election night can be, did you know that the longest-ever election result wait was an astonishing 137 days? In 1876, Rutherford B. Hayes defeated Samuel J. Tilden after months of recounts and political bickering! Another interesting tidbit about American politics is that there’s a little-known tradition where the losing candidate typically concedes; however, this custom seems to meet its match against modern political gamesmanship! Whoever wins, it’s safe to say that 2024 could set the stage for yet another memorable chapter in American political history, and we’ll be here with popcorn and maybe a cheeky green smoothie, because why not?