Trump vs. Harris: US election 2024: Why counting takes so long in America compared to India | World News

Election day has arrived and with it a mixture of excitement, tension and the shared hope for finality. Still, the high-stakes presidential race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris may not produce an immediate result. Trump, who has effectively been on the campaign trail for nearly a decade, and Harris, who entered the race at the last minute with just 16 weeks in the race, make this an unprecedented election. Originally planned to be a rematch between Trump and President Biden, the contest changed course after a crucial debate and resulted in the nomination of Harris. The election campaign was also marked by violence, with two separate assassination attempts on Trump exacerbating an already tense atmosphere.

78 million votes cast

With more than 78 million votes cast before Election Day, polls show a tight race in seven battleground states, meaning it could take days – or longer – to decide the winner. Initial returns may provide some guidance, but certainty is unlikely. Polls will close first in Georgia at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time, followed in North Carolina at 7:30 p.m. The first votes in both states are expected to be counted quickly, and by midnight the results could provide an indication of how the election will unfold. If Harris takes the lead in these early states, she may have multiple paths to achieving the required 270 electoral votes, hurting Trump's chances. Conversely, if Trump leads or the results are close, attention could turn to Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, where slower vote counts could delay the outcome. In Pennsylvania, polls close at 8 p.m., but counting of mail-in ballots there is expected to continue beyond Election Day. Polls in Michigan close at 9 p.m., although previous elections have shown that counting ballots can take some time, while polls in Wisconsin also close at 9 p.m. and a longer count is expected. In the western states of Arizona and Nevada, where polls close later at 9 and 10 p.m., counting could drag on for days due to the heavy reliance on mail-in ballots.

Why will it take long?

The length of the counting process depends heavily on each state's specific rules for processing mail-in and absentee ballots, which often require signature verification and other steps. Some states allow pre-processing of mail-in ballots, speeding up counting, but others, like Pennsylvania, do not, which can cause delays. If the election is extremely close in one or more battleground states, the final result may depend on these slower counts as well as possible recounts due to close election results.
The slower ballot counting in the United States compared to countries like India is due to a few key factors:
Decentralized voting system: In the United States, each state – and often each county – has its own rules and methods for conducting elections, including how and when ballots are counted. This creates a patchwork of procedures, with some states able to begin processing ballots in advance while others, like Pennsylvania, cannot begin until after polls close.
Common use of postal ballots: There has been a significant increase in absentee and absentee voting since 2020, particularly in battleground states. Mail-in ballots require additional validation steps, such as: B. signature matching, which slows down the process. States that allow early processing of absentee ballots tend to report more quickly, while others experience delays.
Legal Limitations on early counting: Some states prohibit counting ballots before Election Day, meaning all absentee and absentee ballots will be counted along with in-person ballots after polls close. For example, states like Michigan and Wisconsin cannot begin counting mail-in ballots until the day of the election, causing delays.
Close competitions in key states: When results are close in battleground states, every ballot must be counted to confirm the winner, especially if the margins are close enough to trigger a recount. This level of control and retelling often lengthens the process.
Election security measures: Given previous controversies, particularly after the 2020 election, stricter election security measures are in place to prevent fraud and ensure transparency. These measures include expanded verification processes for postal votes, which increase security but also increase the time required for the final count.
Extensive legal framework for challenges: The United States has a comprehensive legal process for resolving election disputes. Candidates can request a recount or take legal action if they suspect irregularities. This may delay final results if legal action is taken, particularly if the outcome depends on a few critical states.
High voter turnout in a large electorate: With over 150 million registered voters, the scale of vote counting and verification is enormous compared to many other democracies. Of course, this sheer volume requires more time, especially in close, multi-state races.
In contrast, despite its larger population, India has a more centralized Election Commission that oversees a uniform process across all states, allowing for faster counting. Additionally, India relies heavily on electronic voting machines (EVMs) that simplify the counting process by reducing the need for manual ballot verification.
India's vote counting process for general elections is managed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), in use since 2000, and the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system, added in 2013 to increase transparency. The counting begins at 8 a.m. under the supervision of a Returning Officer (RO) responsible for each constituency. The RO chooses the counting location, often the constituency seat. In larger constituencies, counting takes place in several halls under the supervision of Assistant Returning Officers (AROs).
The counting of votes takes place in rounds, usually taking into account the results of 14 EVMs each, with separate rules applying to parliamentary and assembly votes. The postal ballots will be counted first, then the EVM votes. For verification purposes, VVPAT receipts from five randomly selected polling stations per assembly segment will be cross-checked with EVM results. This verification, supervised by the RO, takes place in a secure cabin. In case of discrepancy, the number of VVPAT paper slips shall be final. This comprehensive process ensures accuracy and transparency of election results and allows the RO to declare final results only after confirming the VVPAT-EVM consistency.

What if the candidates are dissatisfied?

If any of the candidates are dissatisfied with the result, the process for challenging the results is complex and highly regulated. Legal options for challenging election results vary by state, but generally include recounts, appeals, and, in rare cases, legislative involvement. Candidates can request a recount in certain circumstances, typically when the margin of victory falls below a certain threshold. In addition, both parties have legal teams ready to challenge perceived irregularities or procedural violations. Challenges can begin at the state level and move to the federal courts if necessary. However, any challenge must present concrete evidence of fraud or procedural errors.

January 6th shadow

The memory of January 6, 2021 is omnipresent in this election, a stark reminder of what can happen when electoral disputes spiral out of control. After the 2020 election, Trump and his allies questioned the results in several states, claiming there was widespread voter fraud despite a lack of evidence. On January 6, 2021, as Congress met to formally certify Joe Biden's victory, a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol in a violent attempt to stop the process, resulting in a day of chaos and tragedy. This event represented one of the most significant challenges to democratic processes in recent history and has shaped discussions about election security and transparency ever since.
As this year's election progresses, the possibility of a prolonged, controversial fallout remains. Trump has already expressed doubts about the system, claiming that voting machines could be tampered with and that Harris' victory would only be legitimate if achieved without interference. Another premature claim of victory could increase post-election discord and strain a system already under intense scrutiny. Both campaigns are prepared for extensive litigation should the results be challenged, with lawyers standing by to negotiate any disputed results.
In the broader context, there is a huge amount at stake for both parties. Republicans have put their faith in Trump despite his polarizing image that appeals to young, male and non-white voters. Democrats initially supported Biden, but shifted their support to Harris and even reached out to moderate Republicans. The results will ultimately show which approach resonates best with voters. As we wait for the result, patience is crucial because the final decision may only be confirmed after extensive counting, legal scrutiny and perhaps an examination of the very rules that underpin the democratic process.