US Elections 2024 FAQs: Key dates, numbers in Donald Trump-Kamala Harris battle decoded

It will take some time before we know who is the new American president, but there is a lot that goes on the backdrop of the American election. 

How is the American President Elected?

Americans do not elect the candidate directly. Under the electoral college system, a voter directly picks the candidate's electors. The states are allocated electoral votes based on their population. The voters caste their vote for the delegates and not the candidate directly. 

Essentially, the candidate who wins 270 Electoral out of  538 wins the elections. This is irrespective of who wins the population vote, as we saw in the case of 2016 election, when Trump lost the popular vote but won the election. 

When do people vote?

On the first Tuesday of November, which in 2024 falls on November 5th. 

How to register?

Voters have to log in on vote.gov, and select their state and territory. Each state has different rules which the voter must read and take the required steps. A second way to register is via National Mail Voter Registration Form. The voter can fill the form digitally or by hand and mail it to the designated state office. 

When will the election take place?

November 5th, 2024

When are the results expected?

The counting begins as soon as the voting is over. It can happen immediately as it did in 2012 when Obama was elected, or it can be delayed significantly as happened in 2020 when Biden was elected. 

Can people vote from India?

Yes, by registering as absentee voters with the state and sending their votes via email or post.

What if no candidate gets 270 votes?

If no candidate receives a 270 votes, the Presidential election leaves the Electoral College process and moves to Congress .  House of Representatives elects the President from the three residential candidates who received the most electoral votes. Each State delegation has one vote and it is up to the individual States to determine how to vote. A candidate must receive at least 26 votes to be elected.