US Election 2024: Hour-By-Hour Guide For US Presidential Race On Nov 6

Republican candidate and former president Donald Trump, along with Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, are rallying in the final stretch of the US presidential election campaign. The candidate who becomes the 47th president of the United States won't be chosen by a popular vote but through the unique Electoral College system-one of the hallmarks of American democracy.**

How the Electoral College Works

The Electoral College consists of delegates from each state who ultimately decide the next president, based on their party affiliation. When Americans cast their votes on November 5, they're actually selecting these delegates, who will later cast the decisive votes for president.

Each state's electoral votes are determined by the two senators representing the state, plus a number of delegates equal to its House representation. To win, a candidate needs at least 270 out of the 538 available electoral votes.

Winner-Takes-All Rule

Most states follow a winner-takes-all approach, awarding all their electoral votes to the candidate with the majority in that state. This system has led to instances where a candidate wins the presidency without securing the popular vote.

A notable example was the 2016 election, where Donald Trump won 306 electoral votes, despite his opponent Hillary Clinton winning nearly three million more popular votes. Trump's success was rooted in winning large, electorally rich states like Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

The Importance of Battleground States

Swing states or battleground states play a pivotal role in the election outcome. These are states where either party could realistically win. This year, the key battlegrounds include Pennsylvania, Nevada, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin. With significant electoral votes, these states could ultimately decide the election.

Electors will cast their votes on December 17, with the US Congress certifying the results on January 6, 2025. The newly elected president will take the oath of office on January 20.

Why Use the Electoral College?

The Electoral College was established in 1787 as a compromise between direct elections and Congressional appointment. Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers, endorsed the system, arguing it ensured the election of a leader with both "ability and virtue."

Election Day Timing

Polling in the US begins on November 5, typically between 7 am and 9 am local time, and will close between 7 pm and 11 pm EST. With the country's multiple time zones, this aligns with roughly 5:30 pm to 9:30 am on November 6 in India.

When to Expect Results

Results will start to emerge as polling stations close in each state. According to Al Jazeera, eastern battleground states will begin reporting results shortly after voting ends at 7 pm EST.

Key states to watch include:

• Pennsylvania: Results may take days due to mail ballot counting delays.
• Georgia: Early votes will be counted by 8 pm EST (6:30 am in India on Nov 6).
• North Carolina: Full results are expected by midnight EST (10:30 am in India).
• Nevada: With late-arriving mail ballots, results may be delayed for days, as was the case in 2020.