The United States presidential election, with its four time zones and varied voting systems, is set to unfold as an overnight spectacle for European audiences, with seven pivotal swing states determining the outcome.
The seven battleground states – Arizona, North Carolina, Michigan, Nevada, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Georgia – are expected to determine the winner.
According to Cyprus time, polls will begin closing after 1:00 AM Wednesday. Here is the key timeline:
00:00 (Cyprus time) – First exit polls expected
01:00 – Polls close in eastern Kentucky and most of Indiana. Both are traditionally Republican states, with no surprises expected.
02:00 – Six states including Georgia close polls. Georgia is a crucial swing state where Biden won by just 0.2% in 2020. A Harris victory here would mark an important early win.
02:30 – North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia close. North Carolina is seen as critical: a Trump victory here would boost his overall chances while diminishing Harris’s.
03:00 – 18 states including Pennsylvania close polls. Pennsylvania could prove decisive for either candidate. A second wave of exit polls is expected at this time.
04:00 – 15 states including Michigan and Wisconsin close. This is described by The Guardian as a crucial moment for Harris, as Trump won these states in 2016, Biden in 2020. Trump needs to win just one of these three states this year.
05:00 – Nevada, Montana and Utah close. Harris is hoping for potential victory in Nevada despite polls favouring Trump.
Historical precedent varies significantly: while Associated Press declared Biden’s victory nearly four days after the 2020 election, Trump’s 2016 victory was announced by the news agency on the same night.
Early voting data shows approximately 78 million Americans have already cast their ballots, representing roughly 50% of expected total turnout.
Republicans account for 36.1% of early votes nationally, up from 30.5% in 2020, whilst Democrats represent 38.9%, down from 44.8%.
In Georgia, where over half of eligible voters have already participated, early turnout shows slightly higher participation among white and older voters compared to 2020, potentially favouring Trump.
Pennsylvania has seen more registered Democrats voting early than Republicans, though the margin is narrower than in 2020 when Biden won the state.
(information from protothema.gr)
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