When will the US elections take place, when will the polls close and when will we find out the results? An Armchair Guide for Australians | US elections 2024

The 2024 US election is shaping up to be one of the closest races in living memory, and much of the world, including Australia, is watching with great anticipation. In fact, since the rise of Donald Trump as a presidential power, it can sometimes seem as if US politics in Australia receives as much media coverage as our own leaders.

This means the 2024 election will be easy to follow thanks to live TV and ongoing online coverage. There will also be in-person election watching parties across Australia.

Here’s everything you need to know about voting if you’re in Australia.

When are the US elections in Australian time?

The presidential election takes place on Tuesday November 5th in the US, which means most of the events will take place on Wednesday November 6th in Australia.

When and when do polling stations close in Australia?

In the eastern states, polls will begin closing at 6 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, November 5th. In Australia this will be on Wednesday – from 10am Australian Eastern Daylight Time, 9am in Queensland, 9.30am in South Australia and 7am in Western Australia.

By 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, polls will be completely closed in more than 20 states, including the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania. In Australia it is Wednesday lunchtime AEDT, 11am in Queensland, 11.30am in South Africa and 9am in WA.

In Michigan and Wisconsin – two other key states – polls will close at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), in Australia at 1:00 p.m. AEDT on Wednesday, and at 12:00 p.m. in Queensland, at 12:30 p.m. in South Africa and 10:00 a.m. in WA.

Hawaii and Alaska, the westernmost states, close their polls at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time, which is 4:00 p.m. AEDT in Australia, 3:00 p.m. in Queensland, 3:30 p.m. in South Africa and 1:00 p.m. in Australia on Wednesday :00 in WA.

When will the election results be announced?

We should have a good sense of who is likely to be president when the polls close in Hawaii and Alaska, several hours after vote counting begins in some key eastern states.

The world may have to wait a little longer for a final decision, especially given how competitive some polls suggest the vote will be.

In 2020, the Associated Press did not declare Joe Biden the winner of the presidential election until 11:26 a.m. ET on November 7 – four days after the first polls closed. And in 2016, it took until 2:29 a.m. US ET the morning after Election Day to declare Trump the winner.

If a winner is to be announced in a similar timeframe to 2016, this would be on Wednesday evening in Australia, approximately 7:00pm AEDT, 6:00pm in Queensland, 6:30pm in South Africa and 4:00pm in WA.

Which TV channels in Australia broadcast live?

All free-to-air television channels are broadcast continuously. Coverage from ABC, Channel 10, Nine and SBS begins at or just after 10am AEDT on Wednesday. Channel Seven’s coverage begins at 11.30am.

The SBS broadcast will also include coverage from US broadcaster PBS.

Coverage continues throughout the day, with Australian broadcasters airing local newscasts and evening programs at various points.

What about online reporting?

The Guardian has you covered, with our extensive bureaus in the US and newsrooms around the world.

We will be live-blogging the election throughout the day, in addition to our continued extensive coverage of the US election, which includes a live results tracker.

Where are US election watch parties taking place in my city?

Adelaide

Brisbane

• Democrats Abroad, an official branch of the Democratic Party, is hosting their party starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Pig ‘N’ Whistle.

Canberra

Melbourne

• AmCham, the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia, is hosting a watch party at the Hawthorn Hotel on Wednesday from 2pm. The party will host a live broadcast of NBC’s election coverage. This is a ticketed, paid event.

• The Democrats Abroad are hosting their party at the Belgrave Hotel on Wednesday from 10am.

Perth

Sydney

• A “Trump Election Watch Party” will be held at the Sanctuary Hotel on Kent Street on Wednesday from 1 p.m.

• The Democrats Overseas are hosting their party at the Kent Street Hotel on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m.

Read more about the 2024 US presidential election: