U.S elections exit polls: Time, channel, live streaming and all you need to know

The 2024 U.S. presidential election between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump may just be one of the closest ever, with the exit polls and voting patterns holding the keys. Considering that with past elections, it has been evident that some results could take days or even weeks to be confirmed, in close elections at least, the outcome is balanced on a knife-edge if the vote is close.

2024 U.S. election exit polls: What time do they come out?

Exit polls for the U.S. presidential election will start to be reported after 5 p.m. ET on Election Day. News organizations can release state-by-state information but can't call a winner until all votes are counted in that state. In battleground states, exit polls aren't used to predict outcomes until there are sufficient results.

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How long will it take to declare a winner?

In case Kamala Harris or Donald Trump is to win overwhelmingly, the result shall be clear within some hours. But in a tight competition, more time will elapse, and days or even weeks may pass until the experts project who shall have a victory since it would depend on how the votes are counted and if there's going to be a legal battle involved.

Could the election lead to legal battles?

Yes. That is exactly what may happen in the election when, in a fight as tight as the 2000 contest between Al Gore and George W. Bush, the proximate winner may inevitably be involved in court cases again. That election had an automatic recount in Florida, and the decision was made by the U.S. Supreme Court. A repeat of such a situation would occur if the margin is razor-thin in key states.

When would the winner finally be declared?

By January 6, 2025, the electoral votes will be counted by Congress in official declaration of the winner of the 2024 U.S Presidential election. States must certify their result in either November or December following election day. The electoral college voting process had seen to it that unrest reigned during 2021 as Donald Trump's supporters stormed Capitol.

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FAQs:

Q1: What time would exit poll be released on polling day?
A1: The exit polls embargo ends at 5 p.m. ET on the day of the election. From this time forward, any news organization can report on election results, but no winning declaration can be made yet because voting will still be continuing.

Q2: How long is it going to take to know who won the 2024 U.S Presidential Election?
A2: If it is evident that one candidate runs ahead with quite a margin, then the outcome may be known within hours; but if it is close, then it may even take days-weeks-for the result to be confirmed. Legal challenges or recounts may delay final declaration.