NOBARTV NEWS – The United States presidential election (pilpres) is scheduled for 5 November 2024 will soon begin, and the political atmosphere in Uncle Sam's country is heating up. The fierce battle between the main candidates, Kamala Harris, who currently serves as vice president, and former president Donald Trump, is expected to be very competitive. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of the upcoming election, the vote counting process, and the key states that will determine the final outcome of the election.
Tight Race Between Harris and Trump
The race between Harris and Trump has become a major public spotlight, given that both candidates have strong support bases. Polls show that Harris and Trump are expected to be in a tight race, with the election result possibly unclear on election night. This situation is reminiscent of previous elections, where results were sometimes only determined days after election day.
As the Democratic candidate, Harris is expected to maintain the policies and programs introduced by the current administration. Meanwhile, Trump, representing the Republican Party, focuses on a more conservative and pro-business approach. With different strategies in rallying support from voters, the 2024 election has the potential to be one of the most interesting elections in US political history.
Election Results Announcement Process and Schedule
The announcement of the results of the US presidential election depends largely on the speed of vote counting in the various states. This process usually involves several steps, and results can be announced on election night or take longer, depending on various conditions. In the 2020 election, results were announced on November 7, while in the 2016 election, Trump was declared the winner the morning after Election Day.
Some factors that can affect the speed of the election results announcement include:
- Vote Recapitulation Process: If the margin between the winner and the loser is very small, states will conduct a recapitulation, which can slow down the process of announcing the results.
- Legal Challenges: More than 100 election-related lawsuits have been filed, and these legal issues could slow down vote counting and the announcement of results.
- Disturbances at Polling Locations: Any disruptions that occur at polling stations, such as technical problems or bad weather, can also delay the vote counting process.
Some States, Key Areas to Watch
For the upcoming election, there are seven states that are expected to be key determinants in the final outcome: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Each state has a different poll closing time, and specific regulations can extend the vote counting process. Here is a summary of poll closing times and vote counting expectations in each state in Western Indonesian Time (WIB):
- Georgia: Voting closes at 06:00 WIB (19:00 p.m. EST). About 75% of the vote is expected to be counted in the first two hours, with total results likely to be announced later that evening.
- North Carolina: Voting closes at 06:30 WIB (19:30 p.m. EST). Results are expected to be announced before the evening is out, although there are potential complications due to inclement weather in September.
- Pennsylvania: Voting closes at 07:00 WIB (20:00 p.m. EST). The state is a pivotal one, but vote counting can only begin on election morning, making a 24-hour delay in results possible.
- Michigan: Voting closes at 08:00 WIB (21:00 p.m. EST). Although vote counting can begin a week before the election, results will not be announced until the polls close.
- Wisconsin: Voting closes at 08:00 WIB (21:00 p.m. EST). Initial results may appear immediately, but counting votes in large population centers often takes longer.
- Arizona: Initial results may appear in 09:00 WIB (22:00 p.m. EST), but those results likely won't provide a complete picture. Some ballots sent out on Election Day could take up to 13 days to be counted.
- Nevada: In Nevada, counting votes could also take several days, as the state allows ballots sent on Election Day to be counted if they are received before November 11 (08:00 WIB).
Vote Counting Mechanism
The process of counting votes in the US involves several important steps. Votes cast on Election Day are counted first, followed by early votes and mail-in ballots. The counting is done by local election officials, who can be appointed or elected. The process involves several steps:
- Voice Verification: Involves checking the number of votes counted and matching them against the active voter list, as well as checking each ballot to ensure its validity.
- Vote Counting: Using an electronic scanning device to count the results. In certain situations, manual checks may be performed to ensure the accuracy of the count.
Election Results and Electoral College Process Challenges
After all votes are counted, the process Electoral College will begin. Each state has a varying number of electoral votes, and securing these votes is key to winning the presidency. In general, states award all of their electoral votes to the winner of the popular vote, and confirmation occurs at a meeting on December 17 (08:00 WIB).
This process has its challenges, due to the potential for disparities between the popular vote and the electoral vote. For example, in the 2016 election, Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, but Trump won the electoral vote. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the electoral system and the potential for future reform.
Inauguration of the President-Elect
The president-elect will be inaugurated on 20 January 2025 (08:00 WIB), in the US Capitol complex area. This inauguration will be 60th presidential inauguration in U.S. history, where the new president will take the oath to uphold the Constitution and deliver an inaugural address. This inauguration is not just a transfer of power, but also a pivotal moment in American democracy that signifies new hopes and challenges for the nation.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, a variety of factors will influence the speed and accuracy of the results announcement. Political tensions, legal challenges, and vote-counting regulations in each state will be key elements in determining when and how the final results are announced. Americans are encouraged to remain vigilant and follow developments closely, as this election has the potential to be one of the most exciting and consequential in American political history. With all the tensions, voters are encouraged to exercise their right to vote wisely and participate in this fundamental democratic process.
