On Tuesday evening the polls will no longer play a role. The only numbers we will focus on are those from ballots. And while the coverage will be extensive, there are still many questions from Americans awaiting results.

Some 80 million votes have already been cast, and tens of millions more will be cast today. In the end, however, it could come down to the results of seven swing states.

Whether you support Donald Trump or Kamala Harris, we have the answers you're looking for.

When will the polling stations close and when will the first result forecasts for the 2024 election be made?

The first polls in Kentucky close at 6:00 p.m. ET – so the first predictions based on election polls could come soon after. Georgia and Virginia close voting at 7:00 p.m. ET, but we are more likely to see forecasts from Virginia since Georgia is among the swing states and will likely be announced at a later date.

North Carolina (another swing state) and Ohio close their polls at 7:30 p.m. ET. By 8:00 p.m. ET, projected wins are likely to be announced in several East Coast states.

Additional Western states close their polls at 9:00 p.m. ET and 10:00 p.m. ET, with California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Hawaii all releasing their first results at 11:00 p.m. or later.

When will the swing state votes be announced?

This is a more complex question. The Harris campaign says it expects results from three swing states — Georgia, Michigan and North Carolina — on election night, and Georgia has said it expects results by midnight tonight. Wisconsin's results should be available by Wednesday morning.

Arizona and Nevada will likely need a day or two longer. And Pennsylvania, perhaps the most important state, could also take a while.

How long will it take Associated Press and networks to announce a state's results in the 2024 presidential election?

There is no set time for how long it takes for a candidate to win in AP. However, based on the 2020 results, we can make some estimates.

Four years ago, AP made an hourly forecast for 31 states. Another 15 were called within a day. Swing states took five days or longer, but vote counting is expected to be a little quicker this year.

Can I watch the 2024 election results for free if I don't have cable?

Yes, easily. All major broadcasters as well as PBS will provide comprehensive coverage of the election results. You can track these using an over-the-air antenna. Simply test these devices in multiple locations around your home to find the most reliable signal.

How can I stream the 2024 election results if I don't have a cable subscription?

You don't have that unlimited options, but it's pretty close.

Disney+

Disney's bundle of Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ no longer has a free trial, so you'll have to pay $17 per month for all three combined (or $30 per month if you don't see any ads on Hulu).

If you include live TV in the package you need to watch election coverage, the price increases to $77 per month ($90 without ads).

Hulu with live TV

The free trial version of this service is also no longer offered. It will now cost you $77 per month.

Max

The former HBO Max, owned by CNN's parent company, will broadcast election coverage live. Subscriptions start at $10 per month.

YouTubeTV

After a trial of up to two weeks, you can expect to pay $73 per month.

Sling TV

Dish Network's Sling's lower “Orange” plan will set you back $40 per month. Adding the more comprehensive “Blue” plan increases the cost to $55 per month. The seven-day free trial is gone, but the cord-cutting service is offering 50% off your first month's bill.

DirecTV stream

Formerly known as DirecTV Now, AT&T TVNow and AT&T TV, this oft-renamed streaming service costs $80 per month and up after the free trial.

Fubo TV

This sports-focused cord-cutting service operates broadcast networks in most markets. There's a seven-day free trial, followed by monthly fees of $80 and up depending on the channels you choose.

Are there other ways to monitor election results?

Escaping election coverage might be harder than finding it in this interconnected world. Other options to keep you updated include:

Apple devices

Starting late Tuesday, Apple will keep users updated on developments through the Live Activity feature on newer iPhones and iPads. The feature appears on your lock screen and ensures you have updates at all times. If your device has a dynamic island, you can also use it to track results. You can activate this feature via Apple News. Simply click “Watch the 2024 Election Live” or open the “Election 2024” tab and enable notifications.

DirecTV

The satellite television service offers live feeds from FOX News, CNN, MSNBC and NewsMax, as well as detailed statistics such as Senate and House breakdowns by party and state-by-state presidential forecasts powered by AP at its “Election Headquarters,” located on channels 71 and 200.

Amazon Prime

Former NBC star Brian Williams will lead coverage on Amazon Prime Video beginning at 5 p.m. ET. (The channel is free to everyone, regardless of whether they're a Prime member or not.) It'll feature a variety of guests and contributors and could see Williams on air for seven or eight hours – maybe longer if The Race is too close to decide.

LG TVs

The manufacturer has launched a “News Hub” on LG Channels, a series of free streaming channels. From there, viewers can watch local and national newscasts from networks such as ABC News Live, CNN Headlines, FOX's LiveNOW, NBC News NOW, Scripps News and more.

BBC

Get an international perspective on the US elections starting at 5:40 p.m. ET. The BBC News Channel is available on cable television in the US and is available to stream live 24/7 on BBC.com and the app, as well as on major FAST/CTV platforms.

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