Tonight, millions of Americans–and people worldwide–are tuning in to follow one of the most anticipated presidential elections in years. With over 83 million early votes already cast, polling stations are beginning to close, and results have started to flow in. Key battleground states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, will be critical in determining the outcome of the election. The Pace Press’ live coverage breaks down the latest updates from these essential states, early voting numbers, polls and insights from various political correspondents.
8:00 p.m. ET – Key updates
Election night starts with Harris securing 35 electoral votes with early wins in Vermont, Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island and Delaware. These typically Democratic states put Harris on the board early, setting the stage for what looks like an incredibly close night.
Trump quickly got his own early wins in the South and the Midwest, securing several key states and rapidly increasing his electoral vote count. With wins in Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina and West Virginia, he has accumulated 95 electoral votes early on, dominating the conservative and the national arena.
As vote counts continue to roll in, we’re seeing incredibly tight races across a number of battleground states. With 29% of votes already counted in Ohio, Harris holds a narrow lead with 53%, indicating even closer competition in swing states than normal. The same is true in Pennsylvania, where with only 3% of votes counted, Harris holds the current lead by a margin of 71%. However, early results like this are often skewed and change rapidly.
In New Jersey, with 3% of votes counted, Harris is also ahead with 69% of the votes, while New Hampshire had counted 14% of its votes, showing a 56% lead for Harris. Virginia has also begun counting with 28% of votes in and a lead of 52% for Harris. In North Carolina, a key battleground state, 7% of votes have been counted, and Harris is leading with a 55% margin. However, Georgia is on the opposite end of the pendulum with 37% of votes counted, and Trump is currently in the lead with 57% of votes in.
The vote in Texas remains extremely close, with nearly half of the votes counted, and Trump is leading with only 1% over Harris. As results continue to roll in, it’s clear both campaigns are experiencing incredible uncertainty with no clear indicator yet of a victory for either side.
9:19 p.m. ET – Key updates
As the night continues and votes are still being counted, Trump has only expanded his lead, adding North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas to his electoral votes. Trump’s Southern and Midwestern victories have given him a massive lead. At the same time, Harris has gained wins in Illinois, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, securing typically Democratic-leaning states and adding to her electoral votes.
In battleground states, the count is still up in the air. Maine just reported that 1% of the votes counted, with Trump leading at 51%. In New Hampshire, 38% of votes have been counted, with Harris leading at 54%. Harris has also maintained her lead in Pennsylvania, holding 56% of the state’s vote at 22% of votes in. Virginia’s now flipped, with Trump currently holding 50% of the vote with 56% counted.
Other states are revealing close competition too. North Carolina has 51% of votes counted, and Trump is now leading slightly with 51% of votes. In Wisconsin, 5% of votes have been counted, with Trump leading at 53%. Michigan has reported 12% of votes counted in favor of Democrats, with Harris at 53%. Meanwhile, Minnesota shows an early lean towards Trump at 55%, with less than 1% of votes counted. Iowa has 11% of their votes counted, showing Harris in the lead with 57%. At this point in the night, Missouri and Kansas are experiencing unexpected outcomes. Missouri has only 20% of its votes counted, and Harris is currently ahead with 54%. With 41% of their votes counted, Kansas shows Harris slightly in the lead with 50%.
As of this update, Harris has 99 electoral votes, while Trump leads with 178. According to The New York Times (NYT), Trump currently has a 67% chance of winning, reflecting a shift in the night, with outcomes leaning towards the Republican candidate.
10:10 p.m. ET – Breaking: Polls close in key western states
Currently, polls have closed in western states, and the results are as follows: Montana, Missouri, and Utah go to Trump, while Colorado goes to Harris. This brings Harris to 109 electoral votes and 198 electoral votes for Trump.
Vote counts in battleground states are only intensifying. In Maine, Trump holds 50% of the vote, with 6% counted, while New Hampshire has Harris in the lead, with 53%, with nearly half the votes counted. Pennsylvania is now at 45% counted, showing a razor-thin lead for Trump at 49.9%. Virginia also leans towards Trump with 50% as 66% of votes are counted.
North Carolina has 68% of votes in, and Trump leads with 52%. Wisconsin shows that Trump holds 50% of the votes, 38% of which are counted, while in Michigan, 18% are counted, and Harris holds 51%. Trump has an impressive 57% in Minnesota, with only 2% counted, and Iowa has turned in his favor with 50% of counted votes. In Kansas, Trump edges out Harris with 52% of the vote at 57% counted. Meanwhile, New Mexico has 22% counted, with Trump slightly ahead at 52%.
Arizona remains a toss-up, with 36% of votes counted and each candidate nearly tied at 49.6%. Oregon shows a strong early lead for Trump at 71%, though less than 1% of votes are counted. NYT now reports a 78% chance of a Trump victory, with projections estimating a win for Trump with around 301 electoral votes.
11:04 p.m. ET – Latest results
Harris has added California and Washington to her votes as the night progresses, while Idaho goes to Trump. Harris now has 179 electoral votes, with Trump in the lead with 214 electoral votes.
In battleground states still counting votes, Maine has Harris leading at 52% with 19% of votes counted. New Hampshire shows Harris holding 52% with 65% of votes in. Pennsylvania shows Trump reclaiming the lead at 51% with 71% of the vote tallied. Virginia has shifted back to Harris at 50%, with 80% of votes counted. However, in North Carolina, Trump remains in the lead with 51% of 87% of the votes counted.
Georgia reports over 93% of the votes counted, with Trump leading at 51%. Michigan has also tilted towards Trump, with 52% at 30% counted, and Wisconsin shows Trump leading at 51% with 62% of votes counted. In Minnesota, with 11% of votes counted, Trump has a notable lead at 61%. Harris is ahead in New Mexico with 53% of votes counted. In Arizona, Trump edges forward slightly with 49.7% of the 53% votes counted, while in Oregon, Harris has made gains with 59% to 42% counted.
The NYT now forecasts an 89% chance of victory for Trump based on current state projections, estimating 301 electoral votes for Trump and 237 for Harris.
11:56 p.m. ET – Key updates
As midnight approaches, the race remains incredibly close. Harris now holds 200 electoral votes, and Trump has 230. Harris has added Oregon and Virginia to her wins, while North Carolina officially goes to Trump.
Battleground states are seeing their final counts. In Maine, Harris holds 51%, with 33% of votes counted. New Hampshire remains in Harris’s favor, with 52% at 76% counted. Pennsylvania continues to show a slim lead for Trump, with 51% of 84% counted. Georgia is nearing a complete count, with Trump leading at 51%.
In the Midwest, Michigan reports 52% for Trump with 46% of votes counted, and Wisconsin has Trump leading at 51% with 76% of votes counted. Minnesota shows Harris in the lead at 53% with 53% counted. Harris maintains a lead in New Mexico with 52% of 83% of votes counted. In Arizona, Trump is slightly ahead with 49.8%.
The New York Times now reports a 91% chance of victory for Trump, with projections estimating 301 electoral votes for him and 237 for Harris.
12:30 a.m. ET – Final updates
Pennsylvania has been officially called in favor of Trump, securing him a key 19 electoral votes and pushing him past the necessary 270 electoral votes to secure the presidency. This win in Pennsylvania, as well as high results in other battleground states like Georgia and North Carolina, solidified Trump’s victory, leaving Harris virtually unable to catch up. In the final moments leading to this, both campaigns were closely watching key Midwest and East Coast states. Still, Trump’s win in Pennsylvania ultimately sealed the outcome of who becomes the 47th president of the United States.
