Election Day: The States That Count (with a Dash of Humor)
Well, folks, it’s that time again! Election Day is upon us, and those important seven states are gearing up to battle it out like contestants in a game show where the grand prize is… your sanity! Yes, welcome to the 2023 Election Day, featuring Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. You know, just the usual suspects where you can *almost* count on good ol’ democracy happening.
Now, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have pretty much turned these states into their personal play zones. It’s all very glamorous, isn’t it? Like a celebrity tour, where instead of red carpets, we’re rolling out polling booths and ~delicious~ electoral votes. All of this leads us to the magical number: 270. No, that’s not the number of women in a Jane Austen novel, but rather the Electoral College votes required to snag the Presidential crown!
But hold onto your hats, folks, because figuring out when the polls close across these seven states is going to be like a badly orchestrated symphony—each state playing its own tune in four different time zones. Yes, grab your calculators and a world clock app!
Arizona
First up, we have Arizona! Polls open at the ridiculously civil hour of 8 a.m. EST, which *incidentally* is the time most of us are still dreaming of beach vacations. In 2020, Joe Biden won by a hair—0.3% to be precise. Who needs hairdressers when you can just have a close shave at the polls?
Now here’s the twist: Arizona doesn’t release any results until all precincts have reported. So, if you’re the kind of person who thrives on suspense and cliffhangers, you might just love Arizona’s voting process. In 2020, they declared a winner at an ungodly hour of 2:51 a.m. EST. Talk about an all-nighter!
Georgia
Now, on to Georgia. Polls open at 7 a.m., which is basically prime caffeine time. Georgia played a starring role in 2020, where Biden did something last done by Bill Clinton in 1992—he actually won the state! Not without some drama though—Trump’s post-election antics turned into a soap opera that would make The Bold and the Beautiful blush. They close up shop at 7 p.m., and who knows? Maybe the Peach State will provide us with a bit more juicy gossip this year!
Michigan
Next, we’ve got Michigan, where polls open at 7 a.m. EST. It’s a classic state with a ‘blue wall’ reputation—until it wasn’t! The state twerked back to the Democrats in 2020 after a brief fling with Trump in 2016. Imagine a cold Detroit winter; that’s how close elections can get here. The polls close at 8 p.m. EST, and if the previous elections are anything to go by, expect results to trickle in slower than a toddler finishing their broccoli.
Nevada
Saddle up, because we’re heading to Nevada! Polls open relatively late at 10 a.m. EST, and you know what they say about Nevada—it’s where candidates go to win big or go home with nothing but a sad buffet plate. They don’t announce results until every single person has voted, which means you might just have time for a quick game of poker while waiting. Polls close at 10 p.m. EST, so be ready for a long night of anticipation!
North Carolina
Now, let’s waltz into North Carolina. With polls opening at 6:30 a.m. EST, you’ve got just about enough time for a quick workout before heading to the booths. North Carolina is a bit of a tease—gone to the Democrats just twice since 1968 but a close call with Trump in 2020! They close at 7:30 p.m., probably when the rest of the world is contemplating what’s for dinner.
Pennsylvania
Welcome to the state that loves its heroes—often rising from the depths of cheesesteak shops! Polls open at 7 a.m. EST, and just to keep it interesting, polls close at 8 p.m. EST. With Biden winning by around 80,000 votes last time, expect the drama to be as thick as gravy on your Thanksgiving turkey!
Wisconsin
Last but not least, we glide into Wisconsin. Polls here open at 8 a.m. EST and close at 9 p.m. EST. This state is the master of close calls, and if elections had a rollercoaster, Wisconsin would take the lead! In 2020, it was a nail-biter with a win margin less than 1%. So, stock up on popcorn; it promises to be a wild ride!
So there you have it! The seven states where all the action is happening this Election Day. Remember, folks, it’s not just about the votes; it’s about the drama, the suspense, and the undeniable urge for a late-night snack while waiting for the results. Get your party hats ready, and may the best candidate win (or at least, may they not trip over their shoelaces). Cheers!
WASHINGTON — The pivotal battle for the White House on Election Day will hinge on the outcomes from seven critical states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, each playing a significant role in determining the next president.
Both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have intensified their campaigns, making frequent stops in these states. Collectively, these seven states hold the key to the vital Electoral College votes necessary for a candidate to secure a commanding majority of 270 votes and clinch the presidency.
Monitoring the crucial moments for each state’s voting process will prove challenging, given that they span four distinct time zones across the nation.
Here’s a comprehensive timeline for Election Day in all seven states, with all timings tailored to Eastern Standard Time (EST):
Arizona
Polls in Arizona commence at 8 a.m. EST, a contest that Biden narrowly won in 2020 by an astonishing 0.3%. This victory marked a historic moment as he became only the second Democratic presidential candidate to succeed here in nearly seven decades. Polls will officially close at 9 p.m. EST.
Vote counting in Arizona waits for every precinct to report or until one hour after the polls have closed, whichever occurs first.
In 2020, the Associated Press was the first to announce Arizona’s results at 10:02 p.m. EST on Election Day, subsequently declaring Biden the victor at 2:51 a.m. EST on November 4, 2020.
Georgia
Polls in Georgia will open as early as 7 a.m., echoing the state’s pivotal role during the 2020 elections. Biden’s victory here made him the first Democrat to win Georgia in a presidential election since Bill Clinton achieved the feat in 1992, with a thrilling margin of just 11,779 votes, translating to a slim victory of less than a quarter of a percentage point.
Former President Trump’s attempts to overturn this outcome have sparked a high-profile criminal case in Fulton County, now momentarily on hold as his legal team pushes for a pretrial appeal to dismiss the indictment against him. The Georgia Court of Appeals is set to hear these arguments only after the election.
Polls across the state will shut down at 7 p.m.
In 2020, the AP first reported the results for Georgia at 7:20 p.m. EST on November 3, ultimately declaring Biden the winner of the state at 7:58 p.m. EST on November 19, more than two weeks after Election Day.
Michigan
In Michigan, polling places open their doors at 7 a.m. EST. This key state, known as part of the “blue wall,” saw a temporary shift towards Trump in 2016, marking the end of nearly 30 years of Democratic support. Biden reclaimed the state four years later, winning by around 154,000 votes out of over 5.5 million ballots cast.
Notably, Michigan spans two time zones, with most polling places closing at 8 p.m. EST and a portion remaining open until 9 p.m. EST.
During the 2020 election, the AP was the first to announce Michigan’s results at 8:08 p.m. EST on November 3, later recognizing Biden as the winner at 5:58 p.m. EST on November 4.
Nevada
Opening at 10 a.m. EST, Nevada presents the smallest number of electoral votes among battleground states, yet it boasts a remarkable track record as a predictor of presidential outcomes. Historical data shows that the candidate winning Nevada has triumphed in the overall election in 27 of the last 30 contests.
Polls close at 10 p.m. EST, but results in Nevada are kept under wraps until every voter in line has cast their ballot, typically resulting in a lag between polling completion and the initial vote count.
The first report of Nevada’s results in 2020 came from the AP at 11:41 p.m. EST on November 3, officially recognizing Biden as the winner at 12:13 p.m. EST on November 7.
North Carolina
Polling locations in North Carolina will open at 6:30 a.m. EST, a state that has historically favored Democrats only twice since 1968. However, it remains a battleground where both major parties fiercely compete. Trump’s narrow victory by approximately one percentage point in 2020 represents his slimmest margin of triumph in any state.
The polls will wrap up by 7:30 p.m. EST.
In the last election cycle, the first results in North Carolina were reported by the AP at 7:42 p.m. EST on November 3, and Trump was ultimately declared the winner on November 13 at 3:49 p.m. EST.
Pennsylvania
Polls will open at 7 a.m. EST in Pennsylvania, another crucial “blue wall” state where Biden managed to secure victory in 2020 with a margin of about 80,000 votes from over 6.9 million cast. Notably, this state served as the backdrop for the only confrontation between Harris and Trump during their single debate in Philadelphia last September.
Closing time for polls in Pennsylvania is set for 8 p.m. EST, representing the state with the most electoral votes—19—of all the battlegrounds.
The AP reported the results from Pennsylvania at 8:09 p.m. EST on November 3, and Biden was declared the victor at 11:25 a.m. EST on November 7.
Wisconsin
Polls in Wisconsin commence at 8 a.m. EST, marking it as the third critical “blue wall” state in play. With a history of extremely close races, Wisconsin has seen margins of victory of less than one percentage point in the elections of 2020, 2016, 2004, and 2000.
Polls will close at 9 p.m. EST.
The AP was the first to relay Wisconsin’s election results at 9:07 p.m. EST on November 3, announcing Biden as the winner at 2:16 p.m. EST on November 4.
M. EST, allowing early risers to fit in some exercise before casting their votes. This state has been a mixed bag politically, going blue only twice since 1968, with its tight 2020 race highlighting its competitive nature. Polls will close at 7:30 p.m. EST, at which point everyone will be eager to see if the state will remain a battleground or settle into a clearer political trend.
In 2020, results for North Carolina were reported gradually, with the AP first declaring its findings at 7:30 p.m. EST on Election Night. Official results weren’t finalized until days later, as mail-in ballots poured in.
Pennsylvania
Polling in Pennsylvania will open at 7 a.m. EST and close at 8 p.m. EST. As a state rich in political history and known for its strong labor movement, Pennsylvania has earned a reputation as a bellwether for the nation. In 2020, Biden’s win by about 80,000 votes illustrated its vital role in the election outcome.
The AP first reported early results from Pennsylvania at around 8:01 p.m. EST, but given the complexities and the scale of mail-in ballots, complete results were delayed, with the final declarations needing several days for confirmation.
Wisconsin
Lastly, Wisconsin’s polls will open at 8 a.m. EST and close at 9 p.m. EST. Known for its swing state status, Wisconsin delivered a nail-biting election result in 2020, with Biden roaming away victorious by a razor-thin margin of less than 1%. Its reputation for close elections makes it a focal point during any contest.
During the last election, the AP was the first to call Wisconsin’s results at 11:33 p.m. EST, ultimately confirming Biden’s win the following morning.
these seven states will play paramount roles in the impending presidential election. From Arizona’s suspenseful vote counts to Pennsylvania and Wisconsin’s longstanding political legacies, everyone is gearing up for another rollercoaster ride on Election Day. Grab your snacks, stay informed, and get ready for exciting developments that could shape the future of the U.S. for years to come!
