#live election polls

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When Will We Know the U.S. Election Results? A Look at Presidential Election Timelines

Every election year, millions of Americans and people around the world eagerly await the final results of the U.S. presidential race.

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However, if you’re expecting to know the outcome on election night, history suggests you might want to wait a bit longer. Despite election night projections, the official counting of ballots has never been completed on Election Day.

Here’s what you need to know about when election results are typically announced—and how it’s played out in some of the most notable elections over recent decades.

Why Election Night Projections Aren’t Final?

In recent years, we’ve grown accustomed to news outlets calling a winner by the time we go to bed or wake up the morning after casting our votes. But local and state certification deadlines vary widely, often stretching from two days after Election Day to over a month.

In past elections like 2000 and 2020, legal challenges and increased mail-in voting delayed final counts. With certain state laws like those in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin prohibiting early vote counting, we may again see a slower reporting process.

Remember: A delay doesn’t mean anything’s gone wrong. It simply means election officials are carefully counting each ballot to ensure accuracy.

A Look Back: When Were Presidential Results Announced?

Here’s a quick timeline of when the world learned the results in the last six U.S. presidential elections:

2020: Biden vs. Trump

Election Day: November 3 Result: November 7 It took four days before news outlets projected Joe Biden as the winner over Donald Trump. A high volume of mail-in ballots due to COVID-19 delayed results in key states.

2016: Trump vs. Clinton

Election Day: November 8 Result: November 9, 3 a.m. EST In a late-night race, Donald Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton was confirmed early the morning after Election Day.

2012: Obama vs. Romney

Election Day: November 6 Result: Before midnight Barack Obama’s reelection was called before midnight, securing his victory over Mitt Romney relatively quickly.

2008: Obama vs. McCain

Election Day: November 4 Result: Around 11 p.m. EST Obama’s first presidential win was called around 11 p.m. after polls closed, giving him a decisive victory over John McCain.

2004: Bush vs. Kerry

Election Day: November 2 Result: The following morning John Kerry conceded to President George W. Bush via phone shortly after 11 a.m., the day after Election Day.

2000: Bush vs. Gore

Election Day: November 7 Result: December 12 This election stands out as one of the most contentious. Al Gore and George W. Bush’s razor-thin margins in Florida led to a legal standoff. The Florida Supreme Court approved a recount, which the Bush campaign contested, leading to the U.S. Supreme Court’s intervention. The Court’s ruling on December 12, after weeks of recounts and court battles, awarded Florida to Bush by just 537 votes—making him the 43rd president of the United States.

Why Election Results May Be Delayed Again?

Extended polling hours, closely contested races, and laws around early vote counting could all contribute to delays in knowing the final outcome. While we may see projected results, the official tally follows a methodical, state-specific process to ensure accuracy. So, this year, as you await the results, remember that patience is key—and a longer wait doesn’t mean there’s trouble.

In every election, ensuring that every vote is counted takes time. Stay tuned, and keep an eye on state-by-state announcements as the official results roll in.

[whenweallvote]

When we all vote, we create the future all women deserve. Make sure you are registered to vote right now at WeAll.Vote/register — because this November, our votes will decide key issues impacting US.

Get ready to paint the polls pink this November! 💗

[vexic929]

STOP declaring that Trump has won before all the ballots are counted, you are sowing fear unnecessarily! I know we're all scared but there are whole states that haven't been able to count mail-ins yet, now is STILL not the time to check!

[seekmemystar]

Y'all have a week🌱

[aropride]

waiting patiently for less rural areas to get fucking counting omfg

[probablygayattorneys]

keep cool down in the quiet of the morning sweat blood when the sun comes through thick mist on the pond before the temple headed down for the final rendezvous

(training montage, the mountain goats)

[megpricephotography]

Beach Boy! Barney, jumping for joy during a trip to the beach in July of 2012.

[tomorrowusa]

Vice President Kamala Harris appeared in the cold opening for Saturday Night Live. It was actually more fun than expected.

She seemed in a particularly good mood. Perhaps it was because of unexpected news from Iowa — of all places. She apparently is leading Trump in that state.

While I am definitely a poll skeptic, I do know that the Des Moines Register Poll, conducted by Selzer & Co., is regarded as the gold platinum standard by pundits and data journalists. It has gotten past races in Iowa right when other pollsters were significantly off. So for what it's worth...

Trump no longer leads in a state he carried twice, according to new Iowa Poll

While Iowa is considered a red state, it's not exactly Idaho or Mississippi. It's gone blue more often this century in presidential elections than North Carolina and has a couple of competitive Congressional races this cycle. So if you're in Iowa, let this be an incentive to make sure that your like minded friends and family vote on Tuesday. I'm not sure if it's too late for early voting or mail-in ballots in Iowa, but you can always vote on Election Day itself if you know your correct polling location.

Find Your Precinct/Polling Place – Iowa

For other states...

Find Your Polling Place

No matter where you live in the US, vote and get as much blue on the board as possible! The more Dem state legislators and US Congress members there are, the less likely there will be any attempts to steal the election by MAGA coup plotters.

[paarksunghoon]

tumblr is the one place I tend not to talk about current social issues including the US presidential election (I am from the US) because I focus this energy in person AND on my social media where people know who I am behind the screen.

however, it’s appalling to me that this race is so defining by how vocal people are for voting Republican/supporting Trump (who is NOT a politician). the gender discrimination and voter suppression is horrifying. I live in a place where voter registration, mail in ballots, and other information is readily accessible and often encouraged. there are states and counties in other parts of the US that make voter rights and access much more difficult, and I often forget my privilege when it comes to this because of how accessible these are for me.

I will never understand why Jan. 6 riot at the capitol did not sway people to vote against Trump nor will I ever understand why Gen Z men are leaning towards voting Republican. this is the first time a nonwhite, female candidate has ever been elected for either of the democratic and republican parties, and it’s telling how many people vote based off of preconceived biases and stereotypes. for all voters, single/multiple issue and otherwise, every presidential election feels like losing basic human rights.

this is a long post that is more of a rant but all to say—what the fuck

[thashining]

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[onemoreattempt]

(For clarity I am referring to Cornell West [Kanye is not running again this year])

Please reblog for sample size!

[opabiniasarecool]

...So, y'all chose the price of eggs over your daughters health, huh?

[australet789]

"ok but you have to admit that [insert show] is bad—"

No, i have impeccable taste, all the media I watch is flawless and it's the best thing in their kind.

Die mad about it

[gendzl]

it turns out that I was one day late for being able to update my voter registration online. so now I have to print things out and carry them with me to the polls. in my hands. like some kind of visibly late person.

[thashining]

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