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When will we know the election results? When to Expect Swing State Results
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When will we know the election results? When to Expect Swing State Results

As Texans voted in the presidential race Between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, many are wondering how soon they will know who won.

Texas polls close at 7 p.m. Central Time, but results from others critical conditions may take longer because of variable processing of ballots and counting methods.

In some battleground states, early and mail-in ballots are processed in advance, allowing for faster release of early results. However, other states are waiting until Election Day to begin counting those ballots, which could delay the final tally. Additionally, any close race may require additional time to ensure an accurate count.

Given these complexities, a clear winner in key battlegrounds may not be declared on election night. Texans should prepare to wait several days to learn the final results of these critical races.

When should election results be expected in battleground states

Seven states play a crucial role in this election, each with unique factors affecting when results can be finalized:

  • Georgia: Known for counting fast, Georgia already is Republican trend with 6% of counties reporting.
  • North Carolina: Faced with both new voting rules and the consequences of Hurricane Helene, North Carolina could experience delays.
  • Pennsylvania: A critical state where 90% of past winners go on to the presidency, Pennsylvania often delays beyond election night to finalize results: only 54% of votes were counted by midnight in 2020.
  • Michigan: Historically slower, Michigan had counted 51% of votes at midnight in the last election.
  • Wisconsin: Typically completes most of its counting by Election Day, making it one of the fastest states.
  • Arizona: With a large part of the ballots cast by mail, Arizona usually takes several days to complete the count.
  • Nevada: Allows postmarked ballots to be counted on Election Day if they are received up to four days later, often extending the time it takes to get final results.

These factors mean that while some results may emerge quickly, others could take days, particularly in highly contested states.