Tracking the 2024 US Presidential Election: Live Maps and Key Swing States

As the 2024 US presidential election unfolds, the outcome is expected to hinge on seven critical swing states: Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Nevada. These states are pivotal in the race between Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican challenger former President Donald Trump, who are both vying for the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency.

Polls across the country closed on Tuesday, November 5, and the Associated Press is calling states based on their Decision Team’s thorough vote counting. However, due to the close margins in several key states, it is possible that the overall winner may not be determined on Election Night and could take days or even weeks to be confirmed.

Live election maps provided by various news outlets, such as TIME and NBC News, are updating in real-time as states are called. These maps allow voters to track the progress of the election and see how each state is leaning. For instance, NBC News’ live election map updates every 15 minutes as results come in from around the country.

In states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, clerks are prohibited from processing mail-in ballots before Election Day, which could lead to delays in declaring the winners. This situation is reminiscent of previous elections, such as in 2020 when it took four days to declare President Joe Biden the winner, and in 2000 when the outcome hinged on just 537 votes in Florida.

Despite potential delays, experts emphasize that the efficiency and professionalism of modern election processes have improved significantly since the 2000 election. However, the tight contest between Trump and Harris means that voters may need to wait longer than usual to know the final outcome.