What time will we know whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump will move into the White House? Between the various possible recounts or the accounting of postal votes, the result could be known later than expected. Donald Trump was elected around 3 a.m. in the United States, or 9 a.m. in France in 2016, when Joe Biden had to wait three days to become President of the United States.
If in France the election results are always at 8 p.m. on the evening of the vote, Americans will have to be much more patient to know their future head of state. In 2020, Joe Biden was elected more than three days after the polls closed. Why such a delay and when will the results be known this year?
Postal voting
This was one of the major factors in the significant delay that there was in 2020. These votes take longer to count and particularly therefore in 2020. However, the New York Times indicates that the process has been considerably improved in the states concerned. It also appears that this postal voting could decrease. It had taken an important place because of the Coronavirus epidemic. On the other hand, in 7 states, this postal vote replaced physical voting
Potential appeals filed
Both candidates have, in each state, the possibility of appeals and potential vote recounts. Each state has its procedures when the gap between the two candidates is close.
For example, in Pennsylvania, one of the famous swing states, an automatic recount of votes is established throughout the state if the difference is 0.5 points or less. In Michigan, the same vote recount is automatic if the vote difference is less than 2,000 votes.
When do the polling stations close?
Due to the time difference, polling stations in the east of the country close much earlier than those in the west. The first polling stations will close at 1 a.m. French time (Georgia or South Carolina for example). The further west you go, the later the offices close. California, for example, sees its polling stations close at 5 a.m. French time. Finally, for Hawaii, closing time is 6 a.m., then 7 a.m. for Alaska.
A possible dispute?
We remember in 2020, Donald Trump contested the results of the election against Joe Biden until the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. A similar scenario in the event of defeat? In any case, the candidate declared during a meeting that “That’s the only way we’re going to lose, because they’re cheating.” For its part, Kamala Harris' team has already warned that according to them the results will take “several days”.
A vote by members of the House of Representatives and the Senate will take place on January 6 and the future president will begin his or her term on January 20, during l’Inauguration Day.
France
