By Priyanka Deshpande
CNBC-TV18.com
Published November 4, 2024
Every four years, Americans follow a set pattern to elect their President. A look at a normal US election and key dates this year:
Early voting and mail-in voting begins in some states.
The election is on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, which falls on November 5 this year. Americans vote at polling places, and mail-in ballot counting begins in most states. Results are released as ballots are tallied, with projections based on counted votes.
The winner is usually clear by the next day. Local officials finish counting ballots and share results with state officials, who then certify them and send them to federal officials.
This year the states will settle election disputes by December 8 (the safe harbor deadline). If unresolved, Congress may reject a state’s electoral votes. This year’s elector appointment deadline is December 11, six days before they meet.
In a presidential election year, the 538 electors meet to choose the President and Vice President on the Monday after the second Wednesday in December. A candidate needs 270 votes to win. This year, the meeting is on December 17.
Kamala Harris, who as vice president is also president of the senate, will preside over the certification of the electoral vote on January 6, 2025, which involves members of the senate voting for or against certification.
The President-elect takes the Oath of Office at the US Capitol on January 20, or the next day if it falls on a Sunday. This year’s inauguration ceremony is on Monday, January 20, 2025.