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Election results 2024: map, updates and analysis
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Election results 2024: map, updates and analysis

AAmericans will go to the polls today to cast their votes for the next president – ​​along with candidates for a wide range of other federal, state and local offices. Tens of millions of ballots have already been cast. Polling averages are steady, showing that the presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump was nearly even.

The outcome depends on seven battleground states: Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and North Carolina. Both candidates have been crisscrossing these states in the final days of their campaigns, hoping to convince undecided voters and solidify their base.

The stakes are particularly high because economic issues, immigration and reproductive rights are top priorities for voters. And then there’s the historical significance of the candidates themselves: Harris, 59, would be the first woman and first person of South Asian descent to serve as U.S. president. Trump, who is 78, would become the oldest president in history if he wins and finishes another term at age 82, and he would be the first president convicted of a crime.

The cost of living remains a central concern for voters, with many Americans still grappling with inflationary pressures from the pandemic. Trump has positioned himself as a champion of economic revitalization, even as some economists warn his proposed tariffs could have the opposite effect. For Harris, the issue of abortion has become a rallying cry, especially in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the ban. Roe v. Wade. She has framed reproductive rights as a matter of personal freedom, which has particular resonance with women voters, many of whom are mobilized by ballot initiatives aimed at protecting these rights in key states.

Immigration also remains a critical issue for Trump, who has vowed to deport millions of undocumented migrants. Meanwhile, the integrity of democracy also looms large in these elections; the Harris campaign has often reminded voters of Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and his threats to use government violence against domestic political rivals.

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As with the 2020 election, there may not be a clear winner on election night. Many states cannot begin counting ballots until Election Day itself, which could lengthen the wait for results and raise concerns about transparency and fairness. Trump has stepped up his rhetoric to sow doubt about the integrity of the outcome, especially in the crucial battleground of Pennsylvania, raising fears he is planting the seeds to say the election was stolen if he loses.

The Senate also plays a role, with 34 seats up for election and the possibility of a shift in control as Democrats try to defend their slim majority. And voters will determine which party controls the House of Representatives, an answer that will also come down to a handful of competitive races.

TIME will keep you informed on Election Day and beyond, providing insights into election turnout and key races. We also provide stories about the candidates and their platforms so you understand the broader implications of today’s election. Stay with us as we navigate this historic day together.

Why We may not have a winner on Election Day

Although polls close at the end of the day on November 5, there may not be a clear winner on Election Day. Because voting by mail remains a popular option, counting and verifying mail-in ballots can lead to delays, especially if there is a close race. Counting mail-in ballots involves additional layers of processing and verification; in some states, work begins when ballots are received, while in others, counting begins on Election Day.

Some swing states will see results sooner than others: Michigan, Georgia and North Carolina have pre-processing laws that ensure ballots are processed and verified before Election Day. However, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin prohibit processing and verifying ballots before polls open on Election Day. (In 2020, it took four days for election results in Pennsylvania to be announced.) And Arizona and Nevada, both of which vote largely by mail, will likely be the last to receive results. Published: 7am ET. —Simmone Shah

What time do the first polls close?

Polling station hours vary from state to state, sometimes even from county to county.

Check TIME’s map below to see exactly when the polls close in your state today. Because poll closing times vary in North Dakota and New Hampshire, you can use search functions on each state’s respective website.

The first polls close at 6 p.m. in Kentucky and Indiana, especially in counties in the Eastern Time Zone.

How long it will take for results to be available from each polling station will vary widely. For some states, such as Arizona, most votes will likely be cast by mail and early voting. While key swing states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania are not allowed to begin processing absentee and mail-in ballots until Election Day. Published at 7:00 AM ET. —Rebecca Schneid