As Election Day approaches, both campaigns for the White House are urging Americans to stay patient. This year, the wait for the final result may extend for days due to close races in key states and varying vote-counting processes. Campaign officials, democracy groups, and election authorities have all cautioned voters not to expect immediate answers.
Early Voting Shows Strong Turnout, but Key States Will Decide It
So far, over 80.6 million Americans have voted, according to the University of Florida’s Election Lab, with seven battleground states likely to determine the next president. These states could take days to finalize their counts, election officials have warned. In 2020, it took four days before President Biden was declared the winner, and this year may follow a similar timeline.
The Harris campaign, represented by Jen O’Malley Dillon, has projected near-complete results on election night for North Carolina, Michigan, and Georgia. But Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Arizona may only provide partial results, with updates trickling in through the week. “Election Day is not results day,” noted Quentin Turner from Common Cause Michigan.
High Tensions, High Turnout
The atmosphere around polling stations is charged, reflecting a high voter turnout and intense political fervor. Bob Phillips from Common Cause North Carolina anticipates 1 to 1.5 million voters in his state alone on Election Day, alongside an uptick in calls to the voter help hotline.
In North Carolina, Phillips reported a particular intensity around electioneering activities outside precincts, partly due to new voter ID requirements that add complexity for some voters. Phillips observed, “There is definitely higher tension, more emotion,” indicating that voter enthusiasm and concerns are likely to shape the day.
Pennsylvania: The Battleground State to Watch
With 19 electoral votes up for grabs, Pennsylvania has become the last-day destination for Vice President Kamala Harris’s final get-out-the-vote efforts. Closing out her campaign with rallies across the state, Harris plans stops in Scranton, Allentown, and Philadelphia, aiming to mobilize support in key regions.
Harris’s campaign is also appealing to Pennsylvania’s diverse communities, particularly in Philadelphia, where Puerto Rican voters may play a crucial role. Notably, a recent controversy arose from offensive remarks at a Trump rally targeting Puerto Rico, which Democrats have since leveraged in their outreach efforts.
Meanwhile, Trump is making two stops in Pennsylvania—Reading and Pittsburgh—before heading to Michigan. His campaign has focused heavily on swing states, promising policies like new tariffs on Mexico and pledging a hardline immigration stance.
A Mixed Bag of Polls and Swing State Surprises
Weekend polling has highlighted just how close this race is. A surprising lead for Harris in Iowa—a state Trump carried in both 2016 and 2020—caught the Trump campaign off guard, suggesting some shifts among independents and women voters.
Pollsters continue to report tight numbers across Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. With both candidates within the margin of error in each state, the path to 270 electoral votes remains highly uncertain.
The campaign weekend wrapped up with both candidates making high-profile media appearances. Harris appeared on “Saturday Night Live,” while Trump made use of NBC’s Sunday NASCAR coverage under the FCC’s Equal Time rule, allowing him free airtime.
Both Sides Target Key Issues to Lock in Last-Minute Voters
At a Michigan rally on Sunday, Harris promised her audience she would work to end the Gaza conflict if elected. Michigan’s large Arab American population, which has been vocal about their concerns over the U.S. response to the Israel-Hamas conflict, could play a role in boosting support for her campaign.
Meanwhile, Trump, addressing supporters in Pennsylvania, made controversial comments suggesting he “shouldn’t have left the White House” in 2020 and joked about not minding if journalists were targeted during his events. Such remarks have energized his base while drawing criticism from opponents.
As the candidates prepare for election night watch parties—Harris at Howard University and Trump at Mar-a-Lago—voters and observers alike brace for what may be a long, tense wait.
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