Understanding when you’ll know the outcome of the 2024 US Presidential election involves navigating the timeline of the Electoral College. While many anticipate immediate results on election night, the official process extends over several weeks. This article breaks down the key dates and procedures to clarify when the election results are formally announced.
It’s important to note that under the 23rd Amendment, the District of Columbia is treated as a State in the Electoral College, allocated three electors. Therefore, “State” in this context includes the District of Columbia, and “Executive” refers to State Governors and the Mayor of the District of Columbia.
Key Dates in the 2024 US Election Results Timeline
To answer the question, “What Time Will The Election Results Be Announced 2024?”, we need to examine the critical phases following Election Day. While a winner may be projected by news outlets on election night or the following days, the official announcement follows a legally defined schedule.
November 5, 2024: Election Day – Initial Vote Counts Begin
(The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November)
Election Day, November 5, 2024, is when Americans cast their votes. It’s crucial to understand that when you vote in the general election, you are not directly voting for the President. Instead, you are instructing your State on which candidate you prefer to receive its electoral votes. This popular vote in each State determines which candidate’s party will appoint the electors. These electors are pledged to support their party’s nominee.
Initial results and projections often start emerging on Election Night, as polls close across the country and states begin counting ballots. However, these are unofficial results. The actual process of certifying and officially announcing the election outcome takes several more steps.
Note: The timeline can be adjusted in states due to extraordinary events impacting voting, allowing for modified voting periods as part of ‘election day’.
By December 11, 2024: States Certify Results and Issue Certificates of Ascertainment
(At least six days before the meeting of the electors)
Following Election Day, each State undertakes a process to certify its election results. This involves verifying vote counts and resolving any potential disputes. By December 11, 2024, each State’s Executive (Governor or Mayor in D.C.) is required to prepare seven Certificates of Ascertainment.
These certificates are official documents listing the electors appointed by each State. Immediately after the election results are certified at the State level, the Executive sends one original Certificate of Ascertainment to the Archivist of the United States. This step is crucial for the formal Electoral College process to proceed.
December 17, 2024: Electors Vote in Their States – The Electoral College Votes
On December 17, 2024, the appointed electors from each State meet in their respective State capitals. This is when the Electoral College formally casts its votes. Electors vote for President and Vice President on separate ballots. They then record these votes on six Certificates of Vote. These Certificates of Vote are paired with the remaining Certificates of Ascertainment to create six sets of electoral votes.
Each set is signed, sealed, and certified by the electors. These official sets of electoral votes are then dispatched to various officials, including the President of the Senate (the Vice President of the United States) and the Archivist.
December 25, 2024: Deadline for Electoral Votes to Arrive
December 25, 2024, is the deadline for the electoral votes to be received by the President of the Senate and the Archivist. This date is set as the fourth Wednesday in December. Ensuring timely delivery is critical. If any sets of votes are lost or delayed, the Archivist is authorized to take extraordinary measures to retrieve duplicate originals, ensuring all votes are accounted for.
On or Before January 3, 2025: Archivist Transfers Certificates to Congress
As a new Congress convenes, typically on January 3rd, the Archivist prepares to transmit the Certificates of Vote to Congress. This transfer often becomes particularly relevant if the Senate does not receive its set of Certificates by the deadline. In practice, the transfer process usually occurs in late December or early January, coordinated between the Office of the Federal Register (OFR), the Secretary of the Senate, the Clerk of the House, and Congressional Parliamentarians.
January 6, 2025: Congress Counts Electoral Votes – Official Announcement of Results
January 6, 2025, is the date when Congress meets in a joint session to officially count the electoral votes. This is the closest date to what most people consider the “announcement” of the election results. The Vice President, in their role as President of the Senate, presides over this session.
During this joint session, the Vice President opens the certificates from each state in alphabetical order and announces the number of votes for each presidential and vice-presidential candidate. After counting all the votes, the Vice President announces the final result of the Electoral College vote and declares who has been elected President and Vice President of the United States.
Objections and Contingencies:
It’s important to note that objections to electoral votes can be raised during this session. Any objection must be submitted in writing and supported by at least one-fifth of the members of both the House and the Senate. If valid objections are presented, the House and Senate separately debate and vote on the objection. Objections are only accepted on two specific grounds:
- The electors were not lawfully certified by a Certificate of Ascertainment.
- The vote of one or more electors was not “regularly given.”
Contingent Election in the House or Senate:
A key aspect related to “what time will the election results be announced 2024” is the possibility of a contingent election. If no presidential candidate receives at least 270 electoral votes (a majority of the 538 available), the House of Representatives, under the 12th Amendment, will decide the Presidential election. In this scenario, the House would vote by state, with each state delegation casting one vote, choosing from the top three electoral vote recipients. (Notably, the District of Columbia does not vote in a contingent House election).
Similarly, if no vice-presidential candidate secures at least 270 electoral votes, the Senate would elect the Vice President, choosing between the top two candidates. Each Senator would have one vote.
January 20, 2025 at Noon: Inauguration Day – Final Step
The final step in the election process is Inauguration Day, January 20, 2025, at noon. At this time, the President-elect and Vice President-elect are sworn into office, officially becoming the President and Vice President of the United States. This marks the definitive conclusion of the election cycle and the start of a new presidential term.
So, When Are the Election Results Really “Announced”?
While news outlets may project winners on election night, the official announcement of the 2024 US Presidential election results happens on January 6, 2025, when Congress counts the Electoral College votes. This is the date when the Vice President, as President of the Senate, formally declares who has been elected President and Vice President.
Therefore, if you are looking for the definitive answer to “what time will the election results be announced 2024?”, you should mark January 6, 2025, on your calendar. While preliminary results and projections will be available much sooner, this is the date of the official, legally binding announcement.
Understanding this timeline helps clarify the process and manage expectations around when the final outcome of the US Presidential election becomes official.
