US election results may take hours or weeks to finalize after polls close on November 5

Americans will vote for their next president on November 5. After polls close, results may take hours, days, or weeks to be projected, especially if the race is close. Changes in voting procedures since 2020 could also affect the timeline. Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump are in a tight race. Some states have improved vote-counting speed, while others may experience delays. Key states like Pennsylvania and Nevada could take longer to report results, similar to the 2020 election. Election results will be certified at local and state levels before electors cast their votes on December 17. Recent electoral reforms aim to prevent challenges to certified results, but some Republican leaders have not committed to accepting the outcome if Trump loses. The inauguration is set for January 20, 2025.