There is a good chance we will not know the results of the 2024 presidential election tonight, but we should know local results on races like the North Carolina gubernatorial, Lt. Governor and Attorney General races – all important elections for residents of Mecklenburg County.
What can you expect tonight?
One thing to remember is that each state has a different process as to how and when votes can be counted. While contested or landslide races may be called right after polls close, competitive races may take days, or even weeks to call.
In North Carolina, polls will close at 7:30 p.m., but people in line at that time are still allowed to vote. Unofficial results can be can be viewed on the State Board of Elections’ results dashboard.
Early voting ballots cannot be counted before the polls close, but mail-in, or absentee ballots, received before election day can be logged. The first reports sent in by different counties to the State Board of Elections will likely be from these votes.
Key battleground states like Georgia are promising results before the night is over, but many election officials have tried to prepare people for a longer wait. Pennsylvania, especially, doesn’t expect to have final results until at least Wednesday morning. Early-voting turn out typically leans Democratic, but this year could also be different with a push from Republican candidates to get out the vote early.
According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, roughly 4.5 million votes were cast during the state’s in-person early voting this year. That’s a record and represents nearly 60% of registered voters in the state.
Live election results for Charlotte and North Carolina in the November 2024 election. From The Charlotte Observer
When polls close across the country:
Battleground states listed in BOLD.
7 p.m. ET
- Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia
7:30 p.m. ET
- North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia
8 p.m. ET
- Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Washington, D.C.
8:30 p.m. ET
- Arkansas
9 p.m. ET
- Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming
10 p.m. ET
- Montana, Nevada, Utah
11 p.m. ET
- California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
12 a.m. ET
- Hawaii
1 a.m. ET
- Alaska
Election Night Events in Mecklenburg County
Need the support of others in your political camp? Below are some events happening around Charlotte on Election Night:
The Mecklenburg County Democratic Party, better known as MECK DEMS, will be celebrating at the Revelry tonight.
Location: The Revelry Camp North End, 701 Keswick Ave #110, Charlotte
Time: Starts at 8 p.m. with no end time listed
Mecklenburg County Republicans have multiple events tonight with different candidates and groups:
Who: Queen City Republicans & Mecklenburg Young Republicans
Location: Sir Edmond Hailey’s, 4151 A Park Road, Charlotte
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Who: Jim Marascio, Candidate for Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners
Location: Carolina Steel Sports Bar, 12206 Copper Way, Charlotte
Time: 7-11 p.m.
Who: Krista Bokhari Campaign, Candidate for N.C. House, District 104
Location: Selwyn Avenue Pub, 2801 Selwyn Ave., Charlotte
Time: No specific time listed
Other events:
New North Carolina Project Election Night Watch Party
Location: Pinhouse, 2306 Central Avenue, Charlotte
Time: 7-11 p.m.
Location: STATS Restaurant and Bar, 3425 David Cox Road, Charlotte
Time: 8 p.m. – midnight
Caroline Johnson
Reporter (she/her)
Queens University News Service
