LIVE: Donald Trump elected as 47th US president

LIVE UPDATES

This is the end of our live coverage of the 2024 US election. Follow GSW for more important updates.

12:30 GMT: Donald Trump wins US presidency

After losing out on reelection four years ago, Donald Trump has now secured his return to the White House as the 47th president of the United States.  He becomes the oldest person to be elected president. His win in Wisconsin put him over the 270 threshold needed to clinch the presidency. 

11:46 GMT: How African leaders are reacting to Trump's win

11:14 GMT: World leaders congratulate Trump on 'historic' victory

10:53 GMT: Billboard in Jerusalem congratulates Donald Trump

8:05 GMT: Global reactions begin to trickle in

Reactions from around the world began trickling in on Wednesday as Fox News projected that Republican Donald Trump had won the battleground state of Pennsylvania, which would all but close off Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' chances of winning the U.S. presidency.

7:45 GMT: Trump claims victory after Fox News projection

Trump claimed victory after Fox News projected that he had defeated Democrat Kamala Harris.

"America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate," he said early on Wednesday to a roaring crowd of supporters at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

Other news outlets had yet to call the race for Trump, but he appeared on the verge of winning after capturing the battleground states of Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia and holding leads in the other four, according to Edison Research.

6:38 GMT: Vote counting continues

The latest results coming in indicate that Trump has 265 electoral votes out of the 270 needed to win, while Harris currently has 194 electoral votes.

3:22 GMT: Obama thanks people for voting

3:01 GMT: Donald Trump wins Missouri and Utah

Republican Donald Trump has secured a victory in the conservative state of Missouri, against Democrat Kamala Harris.

Trump also wins Utah and its six electoral votes.

2:46 GMT: How the Democrats and Republicans are encouraging Americans to vote

Democrats enlisted celebrities to energize their supporters as they waited in long lines to vote.

Republicans have also urged their supporters to remain in line, even after polls close. In a video posted on social media, Donald Trump told voters, "Hi, Republicans. We’re doing really well. If you're in line, stay in line."

2:18 GMT: Early vote results

So far, Harris has 99 electoral votes and Trump is at 177. Donald Trump has captured Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Harris has also captured Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.

1:53 GMT: Early vote results indicate a wider margin of win for Trump so far

As of the time of reporting, popular votes indicate that Trump has 20,559,880 votes and is leading Kamala who has 17,316,905 by 3,242,975 votes.

1:35 GMT: Democratic watch party

Howard University Gospel Choir make an appearance at Harris HQ, Washington D.C.

1:19 GMT: Watch parties

A crowd gathers outside Harris HQ at Howard University, Washington

Supporters gather inside Trump HQ in Palm Beach, Florida

01:08 GMT: Results are trickling in for various states

Voting results from various U.S. states are starting to come in as polls close across the country. So far, more states have been called for Trump than Harris. West Virginia, Florida, Kentucky, Alabama, Oklahoma, Indiana, Tennessee, and Missouri appear to have been called for Trump while Harris has won Maryland and Massachusetts so far.

No battlegrounds have been called yet.

23:04 GMT: Watch party in some states

Meanwhile, an election night watch party has began in Dublin, Ireland. it is organised by the American Embassy at the Guinness Storehouse. Crowds have gathered to participate.

Here are some photos

23:01 GMT: Kamala visits DNC

Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris visited the DNC headquarters in Washington earlier where she spoke on phone to some voters.

19:03 GMT: Poll closing time in different states

When are polls expected to close in different states?

19:02 GMT: When to expect swing state results

Voting in Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin and Nevada will significantly determine the final results of the 2024 U.S. elections. When should we expect results from these states? Here's a map compiled by World in Maps.

18:57 GMT: Voting ongoing

As voting nears a close in many states, many voters are still casting their ballots at various polling stations including Atlanta which is a battleground state of Georgia, and New York City.

17:36 GMT: Vote counting begins in Pennsylvania

Vote counting has begun in Pennsylvania, with officials first tallying mailed-in ballots received before Election Day. Polls will be counted from the polling sites after polls are closed, according to Philadelphia City Commissioner's office. Pennsylvania is considered a battle ground and votes for any candidate from here are very crucial in the elections.

17:30 GMT: Obama rallies votes for Kamala Harris

As the race narrows, former President Barack Obama rallies voters to head to their respective polling stations in support for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. In an earlier social media message, he said, "Folks, this election is going to be close, in some states, just a handful of votes in every precinct could decide the winner".

17:21 GMT: Voting in North Carolina

Meanwhile, North Carolina voters wait in long lines to cast their ballots in a tight race between Harris and Trump.

17:18 GMT: Kamala Harris' running mate addresses supporters

In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Democratic candidate for Vice President Tim Walz is ready to speak to supporters.

17:04 GMT: Here are some photos from when Donald Trump and wife arrived for voting at the Palm Beach in Florida.

17:02 GMT: Trump concludes press conference

Oprah wanted to run with me as Vice President, she is a divider and Barak Obama is a divider too - Trump

This is the greatest political movement in the history of our country  and we are going to make America great again - Trump

16:55 GMT: Trump responds to media questions

I already know what I'd like to say if I win, I don't need a speech - Trump

I hear we are doing well everywhere. I may regret that statement but I hear we are doing well everywhere - Trump

I don’t want any violence but I don’t have to tell my followers because they are great people, they don’t believe in violence - Trump

16:51 GMT: Trump speaks and responds to questions after voting

It looks like we have a substantial lead, we have more Republicans voting more than Democrats

16:47 GMT: Trump and wife vote

Donald Trump has expressed confidence in a win, describing his campaign as the best so far and suggesting that turnout for him appears great so far.

16:13 GMT: Austrian Social Democrats leader Andreas Babler holds press conference after Coalition Talks

Andreas Babler, Chairman of Austria's Social Democrats, delivered a press statement in Vienna on November 5, 2024, following coalition talks with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, head of the People's Party (ÖVP).

16:03 GMT: Migrants walk

A drone view shows migrants walking in a caravan during U.S. Presidential election day, in an attempt to reach Mexico's northern border, in Tapachula.

15:55 GMT: Trump and wife ready to vote

Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania are expected to cast their vote at a polling station in Palm Beach, Florida.

15:40 GMT: People vote on Election Day in Lewiston, Maine

15:31 GMT: When will election results be announced?

Vote counting may take several days or weeks. States are expected to certify results by December 11, and the 538 electors will convene on December 17 to cast their official votes. Certification in Congress is set for January 6, 2025.

15:27 GMT: Voting time extended in Pennsylvania's Cambria County

Voting hours in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, have been extended due to a "software malfunction" that temporarily prevented voters from scanning their ballots, the County Commissioners' Office announced on Tuesday, November 5.

Election officials reassured the public that "a process is in place for issues of this nature".

15:22 GMT: Voters in New York City share who they voted for

Voters in New York City's East Village share who they voted for after casting their ballots at a polling station early on US Election Day.

15:16 GMT: Ballot counting will go much faster, Philadelphia city commissioner says

Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein said he believes the ballot counting process in the 2024 election to be "much faster" than it was in 2020.

“We started pre-canvassing our mail ballots as soon as the polls opened at 7 a.m. today and we are going to count the ballots much faster than we did in 2020,” Bluestein told CNN.

14:33 GMT: Gazans say they 'don't have any hope' of change after US elections

"We've had a bitter experience with American policy since time immemorial ... we don't have any hope that American policy will change anything in the Middle East," Mohammed Abu Hattab told AFP on the eve of the 2024 US election.

13:38 GMT: Biden will watch election results from White House

A White House official confirmed that President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will watch the election results from the White House residence with long-time aides and senior staff.

“We’ve asked a lot of each other, unions and I – unions and me. And I ask you one more thing. I’m asking you – for your support for Kamala and for Tim Walz. I’m not just asking it for me. I mean, I’m going to be gone,” Biden said at a carpenter’s union hall in Scranton on November 2.

13:36 GMT: Polls open in more states

13:15 GMT: Students turn up in numbers to vote in Pennsylvania

13:04 GMT: Harris or Trump will inherit a mixed legacy in the 2024 US election

Whoever triumphs in the election - Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris - will inherit the legacy of a Biden administration that made good on some promises, saw others swept off-course by events, and others still only partially fulfilled.

12:57 GMT: Polls open in North Carolina

12:28 GMT: Polls open in more states

12:20 GMT: New Hampshire hamlet tied in first US Election Day votes

In New Hampshire’s Dixville Notch, the polls opened at midnight, where voters cast a split decision: three votes for Trump and three votes for Harris.

12:15 GMT: Americans vote on Election Day in Manhattan, New York City

11:45 GMT: Early voting in the U.S. presidential election at a polling station in Detroit, Michigan

11:42 GMT: Harris and Trump make final appeals

Harris, 60, wrapped up her campaign in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. "Momentum is on our side," Harris declared in her final rally. "This is a moment for change, and we’re going to fight for every vote."

Meanwhile, Trump, 78, made his final case at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Trump promised that his presidency would lead America to "new heights of glory." "With your vote tomorrow, we can fix every single problem our country faces," Trump declared.

11:35 GMT: Harris and Trump comments on the Israel-Gaza war

Harris has expressed her commitment to ending the violence, acknowledging the challenges this year has brought.

She has reiterated her support for Israel and the importance of securing the release of hostages, while also endorsing the U.S. stance that a two-state solution would provide Palestinians with security and sovereignty, according to the New York Times.

She initially advocated for a cease-fire in early March and has been more outspoken than President Biden regarding the humanitarian crisis resulting from Israel's bombardment and invasion of Gaza.

At a raucous rally at Michigan State University just 36 hours before the elections, she emphasised the need to address the concerns of the Arab-American community, which has voiced anger over the U.S. handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Trump has reiterated his backing for Israel's invasion and bombardment of Gaza. He has urged Israel to “finish up” suggesting it is losing public support.

Trump has also generally called for an end to the war in Gaza but has not specified a clear plan for how to achieve that goal. At the Israeli-American Council summit in October 2024, Trump referred to himself as a protector of Jewish America. "You have a big protector in me. You don't have a protector on the other side," Trump said.

11:01 GMT: What a Donald Trump presidency will mean for Africa

A win by Republican candidate Donald Trump will mean his “America First” agenda will come into play and all other cooperation be limited and a Harris win also has dynamics leaning more towards international cooperation, he noted.

If Donald Trump wins, Prof. Etse Sikanku says America is “going to return to its isolationism. America is going to turn back to nativism. America is going to take a backward seat when it comes to global affairs. They'll be less interested in internationalism, less interested in international cooperation, less interested in multiculturalism”.

10:50 GMT What a Kamala Harris presidency will mean for Africa

A Kamala Harris Administration on the other hand is expected to be more open to global engagement on the international front, he noted.

“Harris' presidency is going to be more internationalist in its perspective. It's going to be more multicultural. They'll be more interested in pursuing international cooperation agreements.”

10:45 GMT: US election may affect Africa’s security cooperation, Analyst says

The results of the U.S. presidential election could shape America’s role in African security matters, particularly in the fight against terrorism, according to Professor G. Etse Sikanku, a political communication analyst.

“Africa has been very peripheral within the larger US dynamic,” Prof. Sikanku said, explaining that the continent mostly comes up in U.S. discussions regarding counterterrorism and security challenges.

Prof. Sikanku noted that regardless of who wins the election, the U.S. is expected to maintain or expand partnerships with African nations in regions facing high levels of terrorism.

Citing countries like Niger, Kenya, and Somalia, he noted that these regions could benefit from military cooperation agreements with the U.S. aimed at reducing threats from groups such as Al-Shabaab, al-Qaeda, and ISIS.

“There will be military agreements in order to curb the effect of Al Shabaab, al-Qaeda, ISIS, and other terrorist organisations,” he added.

Prof. Sikanku further suggested that Africa’s security situation, particularly in the Sahel region, could remain a priority in U.S.-Africa relations, with collaborations between the two parties to address terrorist threats.

10: 20 GMT: Polls open in some states

At 6 a.m. ET, polling locations in 8 states including those in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire and Virginia are open.

In Indiana and Kentucky, polls began opening at 6 a.m. ET, but some in the central time zone will open at 7 a.m. ET.

In Maine, nearly all polls opened at 6 a.m. ET, but municipalities with less than 500 people can open as late as 10 a.m. ET.

The tiny New Hampshire township of Dixville Notch voted at midnight, in line with a decades-long tradition; Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump tied with three votes each.

Polling stations in the US state of Vermont have commenced operations on Election Day following an intense presidential campaign that concluded on the evening of November 4. Harris concluded her 107-day campaign in Pennsylvania, while Trump delivered remarks in Michigan, a state where he has ended three of his presidential campaigns.

KEY FACTS AND HIGHLIGHTS

Voting Process

Americans aged 18 and above are eligible to vote, and many have already done so. By October 30, over 52 million voters had cast ballots through early or mail-in voting. This trend aligns with 2020, when only 27% of voters went to the polls on Election Day, while the majority voted early or by mail. Additionally, U.S. citizens living abroad can participate by absentee ballot.

Nominees

The presidential race is led by two major party nominees. The Democratic candidate, 60-year-old Vice President Kamala Harris would make history as the first woman, the first Black woman, and the first Asian woman to serve as president. On the Republican side, 78-year-old former President Donald Trump is making another bid for office, aiming to be the oldest person to assume the presidency.

Independent Candidates

In many states, voters also have the option to support third-party or independent candidates, including Jill Stein (Green Party), Chase Oliver (Libertarian Party), Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Independent), and Cornel West (Independent).

Congressional and Gubernatorial Election

Besides the presidential race, all 435 House of Representatives seats and 34 Senate seats are on the ballot. Eleven states will elect new governors, while thousands of other local, state, and federal positions are being contested.

Voter Registration

With more than 186 million Americans registered to vote as of September 2024, nearly 80% of eligible Americans are set to participate in this election cycle.

The Electoral College

The U.S. presidential election relies on the Electoral College system, where 538 electors—allocated by state based on population—ultimately select the president. A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win. If no candidate reaches this threshold, the House of Representatives will decide the outcome.

Key Swing States

States with close partisan divides, often referred to as battlegrounds or swing states, include Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. These states will be crucial in determining the final outcome.

Election Night Calls

In the U.S., news outlets project winners rather than a government agency. The Associated Press and major television networks consider vote tallies, exit polls, and historical data to “call” the race for a candidate.

Vote Counting

Vote counting may take several days or weeks. States are expected to certify results by December 11, and the 538 electors will convene on December 17 to cast their official votes. Certification in Congress is set for January 6, 2025.

Challenges and Disputes

Candidates have a limited window post-election to challenge results if needed, with dispute resolution possible at the local, state, or federal level, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

All eyes are on the candidates and swing states as Americans decide their next president.