Election day has arrived, and with it a mix of excitement, suspense and the shared hope of finality. Still, the presidential race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris may not yield immediate results. Trump, who has effectively been campaigning for almost a decade, and Harris, a last-minute newcomer with only sixteen weeks left in the race, make this an unprecedented election. Originally planned as a rematch between Trump and President Biden, the contest changed course after a decisive debate, leading to Harris’ nomination. The campaign was also marked by violence, with two separate assassination attempts on Trump adding to an already charged atmosphere.

78 million votes cast

With more than 78 million votes cast before Election Day, polls show a tight race in seven battleground states, meaning it could take days – or longer – to confirm the winner. The first returns may provide clues, but certainty is unlikely. Polls close first in Georgia at 7:00 PM Eastern Time, shortly after at 7:30 PM in North Carolina. The first votes in both states are expected to be counted soon, and by midnight the results could indicate how the election will proceed. If Harris takes the lead in these early states, she may have multiple paths to the required 270 electoral votes, narrowing Trump’s chances. Conversely, if Trump takes the lead, or if the results are close, attention could turn to Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, where slower vote counts could delay the outcome. In Pennsylvania, polls close at 8 p.m., but ballot counting is expected to continue after Election Day. Polls in Michigan close at 9 p.m., although previous elections have shown that counting ballots can take some time, while polls in Wisconsin also close at 9 p.m. and a longer count is expected. In the western states of Arizona and Nevada, where polls close later at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., counting can take days due to the heavy reliance on mail-in ballots.

Why will it take long?

The length of the counting process will depend heavily on each state’s specific rules for processing mail-in and absentee ballots, which often require signature verification and other steps. Some states allow preprocessing of mail-in ballots, which speeds up the count, but others, such as Pennsylvania, do not, which can lead to delays. If elections are extremely close in one or more battleground states, the final outcome may depend on these slower counts, as well as on possible recounts due to narrow margins.
The slower pace of ballot counting in the United States compared to countries like India stems from a number of key factors:
Decentralized election system: In the US, each state – and often each county – has its own rules and methods for conducting elections, including how and when ballots are counted. This creates a patchwork of procedures, with some states able to start processing ballots in advance, while others, like Pennsylvania, can only begin after the polls close.
Heavy use of mail-in ballots: Since 2020, mail-in and absentee voting has increased significantly, especially in battleground states. Mail-in ballots require additional validation steps, such as signature matching, which slows down the process. States that allow early processing of mail-in votes tend to report faster, while others face delays.
Legal Restrictions on early counting: Some states prohibit counting ballots before Election Day, meaning all mail-in and absentee ballots are counted in addition to in-person votes after the polls close. For example, states like Michigan and Wisconsin cannot begin counting ballots until Election Day, leading to delays.
Close matches in key states: When battleground results are close, each ballot must be counted to confirm the winner, especially if the margins are small enough to trigger recounts. This level of investigation and recounts often lengthens the process.
Security measures during elections: In light of past controversies, especially after the 2020 elections, stricter election security measures have been put in place to prevent fraud and ensure transparency. These measures include expanded verification processes for absentee ballots, which, while increasing security, also increase the time it takes to complete counts.
Comprehensive legal framework for challenges: The US has a comprehensive legal process to address election disputes. Candidates can request recounts or take legal action if they suspect irregularities. This can delay the final results if legal action is taken, especially if the outcome depends on a few critical conditions.
High turnout with a large electorate: With over 150 million registered voters, the scale of counting and verifying votes is enormous compared to that of many other democracies. This sheer volume obviously requires more time, especially in tight, multi-state races.
In contrast, India, although larger in population, has a more centralized Election Commission that oversees a uniform process across all states, allowing for faster counting. Moreover, India relies primarily on electronic voting machines (EVMs), which simplify the counting process by reducing the need for manual vote verification.
India’s vote counting process for general elections is managed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) using electronic voting machines (EVMs), which have been in use since 2000, and the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system, which was added in 2013 to increase transparency. . Counting begins at 8:00 am under the supervision of a Returning Officer (RO) assigned to each constituency. The RO selects the counting location, often the constituency headquarters. In larger constituencies, counting takes place in multiple halls, supervised by Assistant Returning Officers (AROs).
Votes are counted in rounds, typically processing the results of 14 EVMs simultaneously, with separate arrangements for parliamentary and parliamentary votes. The postal ballots will be counted first, followed by the EVM votes. For verification, VVPAT slips from five randomly selected polling stations per meeting segment are linked to EVM results. This verification, supervised by the RO, takes place in a secure location. In case of discrepancies, the VVPAT paper strip count is considered final. This extensive process ensures accuracy and transparency in the election results, allowing the RO to announce the final results only after consistency between the VVPAT and the EVM has been confirmed.

What if the candidates are dissatisfied?

If either candidate is dissatisfied with the outcome, the process for questioning the results is complex and highly regulated. Legal options for challenging election results vary by state, but generally include recounts, court appeals and, in rare cases, legislative involvement. Candidates can request a recount under specific circumstances, usually if the margin of victory falls below a certain threshold. In addition, both parties have legal teams ready to dispute any perceived irregularities or procedural violations. Challenges can begin at the state level and escalate to the federal courts if necessary, but each challenge must provide specific evidence of fraud or procedural errors.

January 6 Shadow

The memory of January 6, 2021 looms large in this election, as a grim reminder of what can happen when election disputes spiral out of control. After the 2020 election, Trump and his allies challenged the results in several states, claiming widespread fraud despite a lack of evidence. On January 6, 2021, as Congress was meeting to formally certify Joe Biden’s victory, a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol in a violent attempt to halt the process, leading to a day of chaos and tragedy . This event marked one of the most significant challenges to democratic processes in recent history and has shaped discussions about election security and transparency ever since.
As this year’s election progresses, the possibility of a lengthy, contentious aftermath remains. Trump has already cast doubt on the system, claiming that voting machines can be manipulated and that Harris’ victory would only be legitimate if achieved without interference. Another premature victory claim could deepen post-election discord and put pressure on a system already under intense scrutiny. Both campaigns are prepared for lengthy legal battles if the results are disputed, with lawyers on standby to litigate any disputed outcomes.
In the broader context, the interests for both parties are enormous. Republicans have placed their trust in Trump despite his polarizing image, which targets young, male and non-white voters. Democrats initially backed Biden, but shifted their support to Harris and even reached out to moderate Republicans. The results will ultimately show which approach is most effective with voters. As we await the outcome, patience will be essential as the final decision can only be confirmed after extensive counting, legal research and perhaps an examination of the rules underlying the democratic process.