Good morning! As we approach a pivotal moment in U.S. history, all eyes are on the 2024 election. With only hours to go before we find out who will take the White House, the atmosphere is electrifying. Today, let's break down what to anticipate as the clock ticks down to this monumental election.

Current Headlines

- U.S. voters head to the polls with Kamala Harris and Donald Trump virtually neck-and-neck.

- Elections BC discovers a missed ballot box containing 861 votes, leading to calls for a fresh recount.

- Tensions rise as North Korean soldiers reportedly engage with Ukrainian forces for the first time post-training in Russia.

Countdown to Election Night

After unprecedented early voting that shattered records, the day has finally arrived. Here's your comprehensive hour-by-hour guide to what to expect this evening as polls close— and the results begin to roll in.

⏰ 5 p.m. ET: The First Exit Polls Are Released

While excitement brews, don’t put too much stock in these early exit polls. They provide an initial glimpse at how demographics are leaning but can often misrepresent the final outcome, especially with more than 75 million early ballots already cast. Most data will focus on battleground states like North Carolina, Georgia, Nevada, and Ohio.

⏰ 7 p.m. ET: Polls Close in Six States, Including Georgia

Expect fireworks as Georgia, crucial to the evening’s narrative, closes its polls. With over four million ballots cast early, election officials predict that around 70-75% of the results may be reported by 8 p.m. However, if the race is tight, we could be in for a nail-biting wait reminiscent of the 2020 election.

⏰ 7:30 p.m. ET: Polls Close in North Carolina

Due to new regulations, in-person early votes in North Carolina can’t be counted until the polls close. Still, officials claim it will take only two hours to tally the 4.4 million early votes. Expect a major update between 8:30 p.m. and 1 a.m.

⏰ 8 p.m. ET: Polls Close in 16 States, Including Pennsylvania

As Pennsylvania's polls shut, tension mounts. Initial results from mail-in ballots are likely to skew Democratic, causing the race to tighten as the night progresses. Be prepared for hours of analysis and speculation from pundits.

⏰ 9 p.m. ET: Polls Close in 15 States, Including Wisconsin