The 2024 US presidential election is finally here. But, as with every White House newcomer, whoever wins won’t enter the Oval Office for quite some time yet.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are fighting it out for the most powerful job in the world, with both of them confident of beating the other as millions of US citizens vote in the 2024 election taking place on Tuesday (5 November).
The reality of the situation is that it is a complete toss-up, with the polls too close to confidently say whether the Democrats or Republicans will definitely triumph.
Regardless of who wins out of the current vice president and former POTUS, one thing is for certain; they will not sit behind the desk of the Oval Office on Wednesday.
When will Trump or Harris be announced as the new president?
Voters in the USA will take to the polls on Tuesday to either usher Donald Trump back in to the White House or move Kamala Harris from her current vice presidential quarters in to the Oval Office.
Millions of votes have been cast early this time around, with recounts also a possibility due to how close the result could be.
There could also be legal challenges, especially if Trump loses, given that he still maintains the 2020 presidential election was ‘rigged’ and ‘fraudulent’.
In 2020, which was an incredibly close election, people voted on 3 November, with the result officially declared by US television broadcasters on 7 November, so we could see a similar timeframe again if none of the above hurdles are encountered.
And on the flip side, Obama and Trump’s victories in 2012 and 2016 were known within hours.
A lot will depend on exit polling and how accurate a picture it can portray.
Donald Trump wants to be the new POTUS (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
What happens after they’ve been announced as president?
Once the result looks confirmed, the new president will address their campaign teams and a live audience in a televised announcement.
But the work will continue in the background.
All US states must verify their results by 11 December under the Electoral Count Act. In the window up until this date, any issues or controversies can be filed – such as contesting a result, as Trump did in 2020 – before results are rubber-stamped.
On 17 December, electors from each state will meet to formally put forward their local results for president and vice president.
The vote will be incredibly close (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
So, when do they become president?
Once the votes are ratified and sent to Washington, home of the USA’s political powerhouse, movement will start to bring in the new president.
This takes place after the US Congress meets to count the electoral votes on 6 January, overseen by the current vice president, which itself might be controversial to some voters, due to that person currently being Harris herself.
It was during this meeting in 2021 that the US Capitol building – where Congress sits – was stormed by people who didn’t agree with the result showing a Biden win.
Then, on 20 January, it will be Inauguration Day, where Joe Biden will officially hand over power to either Trump or Harris, who will take the presidential oath of office alongside the same oath for the new vice president.
