Washington: As the United States gears up for its much-anticipated presidential election, the eyes of the world are firmly fixed on the polls, set to open within hours. Voting across various states will commence from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. local time, concluding between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m., depending on regional laws. For Indian audiences, this means voting will kick off around 4:30 p.m. IST on Tuesday evening and continue until Wednesday morning.
Tight Race Predicted Between Trump and Harris
This year’s race is poised to be a nail-biter. Former President Donald Trump is leading the Republican ticket, while current Vice President Kamala Harris represents the Democratic Party. The vice-presidential contenders are JD Vance for the Republicans and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for the Democrats. With two contrasting visions for America, early polling indicates a close and potentially contentious battle that could have sweeping implications domestically and internationally.
Delayed Results Expected Amid Closely Contested Race
Due to the expected close competition, experts warn of potential delays in announcing the results. While previous elections have often seen winners declared by the next morning, the razor-thin margins anticipated this time may stretch the counting process. In tightly contested states, every single vote will count, which may prolong the tallying and verification process into the following days.
Legal Challenges Could Further Stall Results
Analysts have raised the possibility of legal battles if the election outcome is especially close, with both major parties prepared to contest marginal wins in key states. This could mean several days if not weeks of intense scrutiny and potential recounts before the final outcome is confirmed. As history shows, in tightly contested elections like the infamous 2000 Bush vs. Gore race, such legal wrangling can significantly delay the results.
Flashback to 2020: Biden Declared Winner After Four Days of Counting
In the 2020 election, held on November 3, it took until November 7 for major American news networks to declare Joe Biden the winner against then-incumbent Donald Trump. This was partly due to the pandemic, which led to an unprecedented number of mail-in ballots. While the 2024 election does not face the same pandemic-era constraints, the heightened competition could once again lead to a protracted and contentious finish.
With the world watching closely, the US presidential election is set to be one of the most closely monitored events of the year, with potential ramifications far beyond America’s borders. As Americans cast their votes, both allies and adversaries alike are keeping a close eye on who will lead one of the world’s most influential democracies.
