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Election Guide: Key Dates and State Races to Watch

Stay ahead of the game with essential information for the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

07/18/2024

Key Takeaways

From national conventions to the inauguration, navigate the electoral timeline, key dates and what to watch.

Keep an eye on seven swing states with the potential to tip the balance in the 2024 presidential race.

Download our 2024 election timeline and map of key races to track.

Keep Track of Key Dates and Races

Download the 2024 election timeline and map of important races by state.

2024 U.S. General Election Guide: Key Dates

Vice President Kamala Harris will likely be the Democratic nominee running against former Republican President Donald Trump. Here are the important dates leading up to the election and beyond.

June 27

Presidential Debate

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump squared off in Atlanta, Ga.

July 15 – 18

Republican National Convention

Republican party delegates nominate their presidential and vice-residential candidates in Milwaukee.

July 21

Joe Biden Withdraws From the Presidential Race

After public backlash following his presidential debate performance, President Biden exits the race and endorses Vice President Kamala Harris.

August 19 – 22

Democratic National Convention

Democratic party delegates nominate their presidential and vice-presidential candidates in Chicago.

September – October

Presidential and Vice Presidential Debates

November 5

Election Day

The successful candidate must reach 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.

December 17

Electoral College Meetings

Electors meet to cast their official votes for president and vice president.

January 6

Electoral Vote Count

Congress tallies the electoral votes, and the president of the Senate announces the result.

November 6 – January 19

Presidential Transition

If there is a change in administration, the outgoing president transfers power to the president-elect during this period.

January 20

Inauguration Day

The president-elect and vice president-elect are sworn into office.

2024 U.S. General Election Guide: State Races to Watch

Swing states are those where Democrats and Republicans have similar levels of support among voters. These seven states play a pivotal role in presidential elections and are worth watching.

2020 Election Results

Map of the United States with seven potential swing states for the 2024 US Presidential Election highlighted.

Nevada

Who won in 2020: Biden
Why we’re watching: Largely Democratic since 2008, but margins have been shrinking. Nearly one-third of Nevada voters are unaffiliated with either party.

Arizona

Who won in 2020: Biden
Why we’re watching: 2020 was the first time a Democratic candidate won here since 2000. As a border state, immigration will likely be an important issue.

Wisconsin

Who won in 2020: Biden
Why we’re watching: Typically a Democratic stronghold, this state was lost to Republicans in 2016. Biden rebuilt the “blue wall” in 2020 by flipping it back to the Democrats, but the margin was less than 1%.

Michigan

Who won in 2020: Biden
Why we’re watching: Considered one of the “blue wall” states, Trump won Michigan in 2016. Home to a lot of manufacturing, the union vote will likely be key.

Georgia

Who won in 2020: Biden
Why we’re watching: 2020 was the first time a Democratic candidate won here since 1992. Margins have been shrinking steadily with changing voter demographics.

North Carolina

Who won in 2020: Trump
Why we’re watching: Considered a “lean” Republican state, Democrats eked out a victory here in 2008. They have been trying to flip this state again, with margins shrinking over time.

Pennsylvania

Who won in 2020: Biden
Why we’re watching: One of the “blue wall” states that Democrats lost in 2016, Biden clinched his victory by taking back Pennsylvania in 2020.

2024 Presidential Election Insights

Stay on top of economic and market impacts in a high-stakes election year.

This material has been prepared for educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, investment, accounting, legal or tax advice.