From early voting to the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, there are plenty of events in election season.
We’ve entered the final phase of the 2024 election cycle, which has been marked by twists and turns.
The Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, has faced two assassination attempts, one of which only failed by millimeters. He’s also facing a series of legal battles.
In the Democrat camp, the nation was surprised by President Joe Biden’s sudden exit from the race after a rough debate performance in June, and the subsequent pick of Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee.
What does the path forward look like?
Sept. 20: Early Voting Begins
Some states have begun printing and sending out ballots, well ahead of Election Day on Nov. 5.
Virginia, Minnesota, and South Dakota started early voting on Sept. 20; Mississippi is next on Sept. 23, with other states beginning throughout October.
Eight states and the District of Columbia will automatically send out mail-in ballots; elsewhere they need to be requested, and in some states, the voter needs to give a reason for not voting in-person.
Check your state’s requirements and procedures here.
Learn about how to mail in your ballot here.
Oct. 1: VP Candidate Debate
Trump and Harris had their debate on Sept. 10, and it appears there won’t be a second round. On Oct. 1, the vice presidential candidates will have their turn.
Republican nominee Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), author of “Hillbilly Elegy,” will face Minnesota governor and 12-year congressional veteran Tim Walz. The time and venue are undetermined, but the event will be hosted and broadcast by CBS.
“CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell and CBS News chief correspondent Margaret Brennan will moderate. It is unclear what impact, if any, the debate will have on the final result.
Nov. 5: Election Day
Election Day is always on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November; which this year is Nov. 5.
Because of a rise in mail-in voting, it’s possible a winner won’t be declared on election night. The 2020 election was held on Nov. 3, but most media outlets didn’t declare the win for Joe Biden until four days later, as mail-in ballots continued to trickle in past Election Day.
The race is predicted to be close, and there remains the chance that the election results will be contested.
