Election Day is one day away, and more than 78 million Americans have already cast their votes. Here’s everything to keep in mind as the daunting day approaches.
Voting Isn’t Over!
If you haven’t cast your vote yet, there’s still time! If you’re registered to vote in the state you reside in, all you need to do is find your polling place and make your way there on Tuesday. Find your closest location here.
If you opted to use an absentee ballot, the State of New York requires it to be postmarked no later than November 5 and received by your County Board of Elections no later than November 12. You can track your mailed ballot through New York State.
You can also turn in your absentee ballot in person at your polling site on Tuesday by 9pm. New York State voters are not allowed to cast a ballot in person if they have received an early voting or absentee ballot.
However, if you didn’t use your mail-in ballot, New Yorkers can cast an affidavit ballot in person. According to the city’s Board of Elections, election officials will only count your affidavit ballot in the case that your mail-in ballot is never received.
When Will We Know Who Won?
Because of the especially tight presidential race this year, experts predict it could take days to know which candidate won the biggest swing states. In fact, this year could be a repeat of 2020. It took four days for President Biden to be declared the winner in Pennsylvania, giving him the majority vote in the Electoral College and officially naming him president.
In 2016, on the other hand, Former President Donald Trump was declared the winner only hours later.
To get a good idea of which candidate will come out on top, keep an eye on the seven swing states expected to decide the election.
What Are The Swing States?
Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin are the seven major players. Multiple polls have shown Harris and Trump consistently neck-in-neck in these states, making it unclear which candidate will clinch the win.
Each of these states carry a hefty number of electoral votes. Arizona has 11, which were awarded to Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020. Georgia’s 16 electoral votes went to Trump in 2016. Biden managed to secure the state in 2020, an historic win that has since become the center of one of Trump’s election interference court cases.
The same story repeats with Michigan’s 15 votes, Pennsylvania’s 19, and Wisconsin’s 10. Each state was won over by Trump in 2016, but flipped to Biden in 2020.
Nevada has consistently pledged its six votes, the smallest total of the battleground states, to the democratic candidate. On the other hand, North Carolina usually swings red. Trump won the southern state in 2016 and 2020.
Where Are The Candidates Spending Their Final Campaign Day?
Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to spend her day in Pennsylvania, hoping to secure the swing vote. She is speaking in Allentown, before heading to multiple appearances in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Harris’ running mate Governor Tim Walz will make three stops in Wisconsin, before heading to a rally in Michigan.
Donald Trump is set to visit three states today, including North Carolina, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Trump’s running mate is also expected to speak in Michigan Monday.
