WASHINGTON — Election Day 2024 has come and gone, and after months of intense debates, rallies, and relentless campaign ads, the results are in: Donald Trump is projected to return to the presidency. Throughout the day, Americans turned out in droves, lining up from the early hours to cast their votes and make their voices heard. As we look back on the day’s events—from bustling polling stations to the waves of results pouring in—we’ll guide you through the key moments that shaped this historic election.
November 9:
9:10 PM
President-Elect Donald Trump flips Arizona, CBS News projects, putting the final Electoral College margin at 312-226. This was the final state called by CBS News.
1:16 AM
President-Elect Donald Trump wins Nevada's 6 Electoral College votes, becoming the first Republican presidential candidate since 2004 to win the Silver State.
November 6:
5:34 AM
Former President Donald Trump will get a second chance at the White House after clinching the win for the presidency, CBS officially announced early Wednesday morning.
2:08 AM
CBS News is projecting that Donald Trump will win key swing state Pennsylvania.
12:47 AM
Kamala Harris Won't Speak at Howard University Party
The vice president will not speak at her election watch party at Howard University, her campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond announced. He said she will speak tomorrow.
12:40 AM
Georgia Called For Donald Trump
Trump is expected to win Georgia, CBS projects, flipping the state which voted for President Joe Biden in 2020.
November 5:
11:47 PM
Kamala Harris Called For Virginia
Harris is expected to win Virginia, the AP projects.
11:42 PM
Trayon White Wins Reelection, AP Says
The embattled councilmember is expected to be reelected, AP projects. White was arrested by the FBI in August and faces faces up to 15 years in prison for bribery charges that he pleaded not guilty to.
RELATED: Embattled Trayon White reelected to DC Council while facing federal bribery charges, AP projects
11:25 PM
Tim Kaine Reelected in Virginia, AP Says
Incumbent Democrat Time Kaine is expected to be reelected in Virginia's Senate race, AP projects. He spoke to supporters earlier tonight.
11:22 PM
North Carolina Called for Donald Trump
The former president is projected to win North Carolina, the AP says.
11:15 PM
Initiative 83 Passes in D.C., AP Projects
Ranked choice voting and semi-open primaries are coming to D.C. as voters voted to approve ballot proposal Initiative 83, AP projects.
11 PM
More Polls Have Closed
At 11 p.m., polls in California, Oregon, Washington and part of Idaho closed. At 10 p.m., polls in Montana, Nevada, Utah and another part of Idaho closed. The last two states, Hawaii and Alaska, will close at 12 a.m. and 1 a.m., respectively.
10:30 PM
Angela Alsobrooks Speaks on Maryland Senate Win
Alsobrooks spoke to supporters after AP projected she would win Maryland's Senate race and Larry Hogan conceded in a speech a little bit earlier.
10:10 PM
Larry Hogan Concedes to Angela Alsobrooks 🏳️
The former governor of Maryland held a press conference at 10 p.m., where he conceded the Senate race to Angela Alsobrooks.
"No matter what happens in this election, we as a country must move beyond talking only with those we agree with, and we need to stop dismissing, or even hating, those we disagree with," Hogan said. "We have got to find a way to come together to listen and to believe in each other once again, because there really is far more that unites us than divides us."
9:44 PM
Reproductive Freedom Ballot Measure Projected to Pass in Maryland ✅
Maryland's Question 1 is expected to pass, AP projects. The ballot question asked voters to amend the state constitution to add the right to reproductive freedom, codifying abortion protection.
9:33 PM
Angela Alsobrooks Wins Maryland Senate Race, AP Says ✅
AP projects that the Prince George's County executive will be Maryland's next senator. Alsobrooks is the first Black person elected to the Senate in Maryland. With Lisa Blunt Rochester, who AP projects to win Delaware, they are the third and fourth Black women ever elected to the Senate. She beat out former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan for the seat.
9:24 PM
AP Projects Ben Cline, Morgan Griffith Reelected ✅
The incumbents for U.S. House in both Virginia's 6th and 9th congressional districts, Republicans Ben Cline and Morgan Griffith are projected to win reelection, the AP says.
9:05 PM
Virginia Ballot Measure Question 1 Projected to Pass ✅
A ballot measure asking voters to revise veterans' survivor benefits in the commonwealth is expected to pass, AP projects. The revision will amend the Virginia constitution to include all veterans who died in the line of duty, instead of just those killed in action.
9 PM
Some D.C. Voters Still Waiting In Line 🕘
Voters who were in line at a polling location in West End before polls closed an hour ago are reportedly still waiting to vote, according to the D.C. Board of Elections. The BOE has not provided any details on why those voters are still waiting to vote long after polls closed across the District.
9 PM
Voting Ends in More States 🗳️
Polls closed at 9 p.m. in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Wyoming and parts of Michigan and Texas. Polls closed in Arkansas at 8:30 p.m.
8:37 PM
D.C. Police Fly Drone Over Howard University 🚨
D.C.'s police department says it will be conducting an authorized drone flight over the campus of Howard University, where Kamala Harris is having her election watch party tonight.
8:20 PM
AP Projects Donald Beyer Reelected ✅
Incumbent Democrat Donald Beyer is projected to win his U.S. House seat in Virginia's 8th Congressional District, the AP says.
8:09 PM
D.C. Called for Kamala Harris ✅
CBS is projecting that Harris wins D.C. and its 3 electoral votes.
8:03 PM
Maryland Called for Kamala Harris ✅
Just minutes after polls closed, the AP is projecting that Harris wins Maryland and its 10 electoral votes.
8 PM
D.C., Maryland Polls Close 🗳️
Polling locations in D.C. and Maryland are now closed. Anyone who is still in line since before 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote, but no one will be allowed to join a line.
Polls have also closed in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, the rest of Florida, and parts of Michigan, Kansas and Texas.
7:35 PM
West Virginia Called for Donald Trump ✅
Polls closed in West Virginia at 7:30 p.m., and Trump has already been projected to win the state by the AP and CBS. The Senate race in the state was also called for Republican Jim Justice by the AP, flipping the seat left vacant by Joe Manchin.
North Carolina and Ohio also closed voting at 7:30 p.m.
7 PM
Virginia Polls Close 🗳️
Virginia polling locations are closed now. Anyone who is still in line since before 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote, but no one will be allowed to join a line.
Polls have also closed in Georgia, South Carolina, Vermont, parts of Florida and the rest of Indiana and Kentucky.
6 PM
First Polls Close 🗳️
The first polls have closed in parts of Indiana and Kentucky. Polls are still open until 7 p.m. in Virginia and 8 p.m. in D.C. and Maryland.
5:40 PM
Preliminary Virginia Turnout Numbers Released ✏️
Turnout numbers as of the afternoon have been released for Fairfax and Loudoun counties and the city of Alexandria. In Fairfax County, turnout was at 72.9%, including early and absentee votes, as of 5:30 p.m. In Loudoun County, turnout was at 65.3%, including early ballots, as of 4 p.m. In Alexandria, turnout was at in at 73.4%, including mail-in, absentee and early voting, as of 4 p.m. In both all areas, in-person Election Day voting accounted for a minority of the votes.
4:45 PM
First-Time Voters Motivated to Head to Polls 🗳️
Kaelin Gonzalez voted for the first time today in Prince William County, Virginia. She told WUSA9 why she came out to vote today.
"What’s happening in Gaza right now and the genocide. That motivates me to come here and have a say. This is pretty important," Gonzalez said. "It happens every four years, so this is the person that’s going to run the country for four years, so got to have a say."
4:20 PM
Screws Found Near Ballot Drop Box 🔩
D.C. Police say screws were placed in the road near a ballot drop off box near Union Market around 2 p.m. The ballot box is on the 1300 block of 5th Street Northeast. Police say they are investigating and patrolling near polling places and ballot boxes throughout the day and evening. Anyone who knows anything about this incident is asked to call 202-727-9099 or text 50411.
2:30 PM
Prayer Vigil at the National Cathedral ⛪
People of all faiths are invited to come together for a moment of reflection and prayer for the nation. The Cathedral will be open for private prayer and meditation from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Throughout the day, clergy will lead prayers during the Election Day Prayer Vigil from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., including four special services. For those unable to attend in person, livestreaming and American Sign Language interpretation will be provided, along with an open chat for participants to engage and share their prayers.
1:00 PM
Alsobrooks Campaigns in Maryland 🖊️
Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks spent Election Day in Bladensburg, joining Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Maryland’s First Lady Dawn Moore to encourage Marylanders to get out and vote. Alsobrooks highlighted the strong voter turnout across the state, celebrating Marylanders’ enthusiasm at the polls. She urged those who hadn’t yet voted to visit IWillVote.com/MD to find their local polling site and make their voices heard.
NOON
Gov. Wes Moore Campaigns ✅
Maryland Governor Wes Moore spent Election Day campaigning with Win With Black Men, a movement focused on empowering and mobilizing Black men in the political process. The organization seeks to break down stigmas and misinformation surrounding Black men’s roles in voting, family, and community leadership.
11:00 AM
Voting Delays: Issues at Polling Center 🚨
Voting issues have been reported at Andrew Jackson Academy, according to a Board of Elections representative. Officials faced two main problems: they started the day with only page two of the ballots, restricting voting to electronic methods until page one arrived around 8:30 a.m. Additionally, one of the three electronic voting machines was out of order, with no estimated repair time. Compounding the situation, many voters are arriving at this location when it’s not their designated precinct, resulting in a growing stack of provisional ballots and further contributing to the long lines extending into the parking lot, which have caused hours of wait time for those trying to cast their votes.
To report voter issues in D.C., Maryland, or Virginia, please reach out to your local election office, and you can also text WUSA9 at 202-895-5599 with any polling place concerns to have them looked into.
10:30 AM
Local Politicians Hit The Polls 🗳️
- Hogan Goes To Vote
Republican Senate candidate Larry Hogan made his way to the polls and addressed the media outside the voting location. Hogan, who has consistently stated that he wouldn’t vote for either Trump or Harris, firmly answered "no" when asked if he cast a write-in vote.
"I will never vote for someone I don't believe in," he emphasized. Hogan reassured Maryland voters, saying, "The people of Maryland know me, and they know I've always had the courage to stand up to either party."
He urged those who have yet to cast their ballots to do so, declaring, "Look, I'm going to be the same strong independent leader I've always been. I'm not running to support one party; I'm running because I'm fed up with the leadership in Washington."
- Hung Cao Takes Mom To Vote
Candidate for United States Senator Hung Cao made a memorable trip to the polls this Election Day, bringing his mother along to cast her vote. With her wheelchair in tow, he ensured she could comfortably participate in the process.
Out on Election Day, three prominent Virginia Democrats were busy encouraging voters to make their voices heard. Colonel Eugene Vindman, a retired Army officer, was spotted in Stafford alongside U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger, reminding voters that "we are not stopping now." Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine made the rounds, greeting constituents and urging them to get to the polls before they closed. Virginia Delegate Suhas Subramanyam joined in as well, meeting with volunteers across precincts to support the democratic process. Together, these leaders underscored the importance of every vote in shaping the future.
- Eugene Vindman Hits the Polls in Stafford
Retired Army Colonel and Democratic advocate Eugene Vindman was in Stafford today alongside Rep. Abigail Spanberger, greeting voters and energizing them to make their voices count. “We are not stopping now,” he tweeted, calling on Virginians to get involved before the polls close.
- Tim Kaine Engages with Virginia Voters at the Polls
Senator Tim Kaine spent Election Day connecting with voters at local polling centers, showing support for the democratic process and encouraging everyone to take part.
- Delegate Suhas Subramanyam Rallies Voters Across Precincts
Virginia Delegate Suhas Subramanyam joined volunteers at precincts throughout his district to greet voters and encourage turnout. Sharing resources like IWillVote.com, he reminded Virginians that Election Day is their chance to make a difference.
10:00 AM
Virginia Department of Elections Holds News Conference 🙋♀️
Virginia's Commissioner of Elections, Susan Beales, encourages every eligible Virginian to vote, with a reminder that same-day voter registration is available to those who need it.
9:00 AM
MD & VA Officials to Speak Throughout the Day 📣
Election officials in Maryland and Virginia are expected to give updates throughout the day. The Virginia Department of Elections intends to speak at 10 a.m., 4 p.m., and 9 p.m. In addition, the Maryland State Board of Elections will speak at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 4 p.m.
8:00 AM
Ballots & Selfies📸
Voters are up and at it in Woodbridge! Folks at Heritage Baptist Church are casting their ballots — and snapping selfies at the polling station to capture the moment.
7:00 AM
Rise and Shine, Early Birds! 🐦
Polls are officially open in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Across the region, early risers are grabbing their coffee, lining up, and casting their ballots bright and early to beat the rush. Are you getting in early, or waiting for later in the day? Let us know where you’re voting, and stay tuned for more updates as Election Day gets underway.