Join Humber Et Cetera for election night coverage

Latest news updated at 10:40 p.m.:  

• Trump is taking the lead so far by 92 electoral votes, according to The Associated Press  

• Donald Trump wins Kansas, according to The Associated Press 

Explaining the US Electoral System 

As results from the U.S. election come in, so do questions about its unique voting system. 

The U.S. uses what is called the Electoral College to determine the outcome. In this system, each state is given a certain number of electoral votes based on the state’s population.  

Across all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, there are 538 total electoral votes to be won in the U.S., meaning whichever candidate gets to 270 electoral votes is the president. 

For example, California is the largest state in the U.S. by population, so it gets 54 electoral votes in the 2024 election. 

Read more of our coverage about how the US election works from Humber ETC reporters. 

States to Watch Tonight 

The outcome of the U.S. presidential election will largely depend on how voters in so-called “swing states” cast their ballots. 

This year, they include Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.  

It’s expected the margins between the slate will be razor-thin. 

Read more about these states from Humber ETC. 

When can we expect to know the winner? 

In counting ballots, some states are faster or slower depending on a few factors. 

Since COVID-19, mail-in ballots have become increasingly popular. In 2020, a record number of ballots had to be counted before the results could be announced. 

Some states, such as North Carolina, are trying to shorten the vote wait by making mail-in ballots due on election day. The mail-in ballots had a deadline for arrival of nine days after election day in 2020. 

Read more about what to expect this election night. 

How are celebrity endorsements affecting this election? 

With the integration of social media, the newer generation of voters has greater access to information than previous generations who relied on traditional news outlets. 

Numerous celebrities utilized their platforms to rally support for Harris, aligning with her on issues like reproductive rights, social justice and democracy, which they believe are pivotal in this election.  

It’s a timely exploration of the complex relationship between politics, culture and the impact of people who are idolized. It reveals how one voice amplified by fame can reverberate through society — changing lives, careers and, potentially, history.  

Read more from Humber ETC reporters about how this could affect the results.