The 2024 Election: What’s Happening and What to Expect
This year’s election is like no other! It’s been a wild ride, and the winner might not be clear for days. So, what’s going on? Read on to find out what’s happening, how the night might go, and the big issues at play!
A Presidential Race Like Never Before
We’ve got two candidates who couldn’t be more different: former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Here’s the catch: Trump’s been running for president for nearly nine years, while Harris jumped in only 16 weeks ago! And things got really intense when two different people tried to assassinate Trump! So far, 78 million people have already voted. But even with all this drama (or maybe because of it), the race is ridiculously close.
Polls show that both candidates have a 50/50 shot of winning, and it all comes down to a few key battleground states—places where the vote could go either way. Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania are some of the first states to close their polls, and they’re super important. You’re not alone if you’re wondering how long we’ll have to wait to know who wins. It could take days or even longer for all the votes to be counted!
When Will We Know Who the Next President Is?
When the polls start closing on Election Night, don’t expect an answer right away. Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening in key states:
- Georgia: Polls close first at 7 p.m. Eastern.
- North Carolina: Polls close at 7:30 p.m. Eastern.
- Pennsylvania: Polls close at 8 p.m. Eastern, but they can’t start counting mail-in ballots until Election Day, so there will be delays.
Most of these states count their votes in chunks, so you’ll get a feel for the race as results come in. If Harris wins an early state like Georgia or North Carolina, she may have a good shot. But if Trump holds strong, it’s going to be a long night (or even a long week) waiting for all the votes to come in. States like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Arizona might decide the final outcome days after Election Day. Patience is key here!
Will Trump Call the Election Early?
Something we all hope doesn’t happen: Trump falsely declaring victory early, like he did back in 2020. Last time, when he claimed he won before all the votes were counted, it caused confusion and mistrust. Some of his supporters still don’t believe the results of the last election. This time, he might do it again, especially since he’s already spreading conspiracy theories about voting machines being rigged. If he does, it could lead to post-election chaos and might even require courts to step in to sort out election disputes.
The Stakes Are High
Both political parties have taken some big risks this year. The Republicans have gone all-in on Trump, even though some polls show he’s not that popular with everyone, while the Democrats shocked many people by dropping President Biden in favor of Harris after Biden’s unsuccessful re-election bid. What happens in this election will tell us if those gambles paid off—or were bad calls.
Key Issues to Watch
1. Will Women’s Rights Be a Major Factor?
Harris, who could become the first female president, didn’t focus a lot on her gender in her campaign. But women’s rights—like abortion access—have been front and center after the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion. Women voters could make a big difference in this election, especially since polling suggests that more women are supporting Harris while more men are backing Trump.
2. Will Abortion Rights Keep Making Headlines?
Ever since the Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade, states have been trying to decide what to do about abortion. On Election Day, voters in 10 different states will decide whether to add protections for abortion rights to their state constitutions. Some of these states are traditionally more Republican (like Florida and Missouri), where abortion rights could bring out voters who might usually vote Republican but support keeping abortion legal.
What About the Other Elections?
It’s not just about the presidency! Congress is also up for grabs:
1. The Senate:
- Republicans are expected to win a seat in West Virginia, but we might have to wait and see what happens in places like Montana or Ohio to know the final results.
- The Texas Senate race is also something to watch. Democrat Colin Allred is trying to unseat Republican Ted Cruz, and polls show it could be closer than expected!
2. The House of Representatives:
- In the House, things are even tighter. Races in New York, California, and Pennsylvania could swing either way and decide who controls the House.
What About “Ticket-Splitting?”
A fascinating trend we’ve seen this year involves ticket-splitting—which is when a voter chooses candidates from different parties. For example, in states like Arizona, some voters might choose Harris for president while voting for Republican Kari Lake for Senate. This “mix and match” style voting could throw off traditional predictions, and it’s key in races like Montana, Arizona, and Texas.
Are We Seeing a Voter Shift?
This election could show significant changes in how different groups vote. Polls are showing young people, Latinos, and Black voters might be leaning more toward Trump than they did before. Meanwhile, older voters and white suburban voters, who typically lean Republican, might swing toward Harris. This election may lay the groundwork for a huge voter realignment, but we won’t know for sure until all the votes are in.
Final Thoughts: The 2024 election is historic and unpredictable, with voters deciding on everything from who should be president to their views on major issues, like abortion and the way governments should operate. No matter the outcome, it’s sure to be one for the history books! Keep calm, stay patient, and watch as the election unfolds!