The 2024 US election is shaping up to be one of the closest in memory, and many countries around the world, including Australia, are watching with great anticipation. Indeed, since Donald Trump’s emergence as a presidential force, it sometimes feels like American politics has received as much media coverage in Australia as its own leader.
This means the 2024 election will be easy to follow on live TV and online news streams. In-person election observation parties will also be held across Australia.
If you’re in Australia, here's everything you need to know about the election.
When is the US presidential election in Australia?
The presidential election will be held in the US on Tuesday 5 November, meaning most elections in Australia will be held on Wednesday 6 November.
What time and day do polls close in different states in Australia?Voting deadlines in Eastern states begin Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET. It will take place on Wednesday from 10am Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) in Australia, 9am in Queensland, 9.30am in South Australia and 7am in Western Australia.
By 8 p.m. ET, polls are expected to be fully closed in more than 20 states, including the battleground state of Pennsylvania. It will be 12pm AEDT on Wednesday in Australia, 11am in Queensland, 11.30am in SA and 9am in WA.
Voting ends in Michigan and Wisconsin (two other key states) by 9pm ET. It will be 1pm AEDT on Wednesday in Australia, 12pm in Queensland, 12:30pm in SA and 10am in WA.
Voting closes in the westernmost states of Hawaii and Alaska at 12am ET, while voting closes in Australia at 4pm (AEDT) on Wednesday, Queensland at 3pm, SA at 3.30pm, and Washington. The state will have a 1 p.m.
Table showing voting closing times in the United StatesWhen will the US election results be announced?By the time voting ends in Hawaii and Alaska, we should have a good idea of who is likely to become president. This comes hours after vote counting began in key eastern states.
But the world may have to wait a little longer to hear the final decision, especially since some opinion polls indicate it will be a close vote.
In 2020, the Associated Press did not declare Joe Biden the winner of the presidential election until 11:26 a.m. ET on November 7, four days after the first round of voting closed. And in 2016, it took until 2:29 a.m. ET the morning after Election Day for Trump to be declared the winner.
If the winner is announced in a similar time frame to 2016, it will be on Wednesday night in Australia at approximately 7pm AEDT, in Queensland at approximately 6pm, in SA at 6:30pm and in WA at pm It will be around 4 o’clock.
Which TV channels in Australia will be broadcasting live coverage of the US election?
All free-to-air TV stations will be broadcast sequentially. Broadcasts on ABC, Channels 10, 9 and SBS all start at or shortly after 10am AEDT on Wednesday. Channel 7’s broadcast begins at 11:30 a.m.
SBS broadcasts also include coverage from US broadcaster PBS.
Coverage continues throughout the day, with Australian channels broadcasting local breaking news and evening programs at various points throughout the day.
What about online news reporting?
The Guardian has extensive bureaus across the United States, as well as newsrooms with a global response around the world, so we can organize your information.
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The Guardian will continue its extensive US election coverage, including a live results tracker, as well as running a live blog covering the election throughout the day.
Where are US Election Observation Parties held in my city?
adelaide
brisbane
Democrats Abroad, the official organization of the Democratic Party, will host a party at the Pig and Whistle on Wednesday, November 6th, starting at 10 a.m. (local time).
Canberra
melbourne
AmCham, the Australian American Chamber of Commerce, will be holding a watch party at the Hawthorn Hotel on Wednesday 6 November from 2pm. The party will feature live coverage of NBC’s election coverage. This is a paid ticket event.
Democrats Abroad will hold a party at the Belgrave Hotel on Wednesday, November 6th from 10am.
perspective
sydney
The Center for American Studies at the University of Sydney will hold a watch party at the Royal Hotel near Darlington on Wednesday 6 November from 1pm.
A Trump Election Watch Party will be held at the Sanctuary Hotel on Kent Street on Wednesday, November 6th from 1pm.
Democrats Abroad will host a party at the Kent Street Hotel on Wednesday, November 6th at 9:30am.
Read more about the 2024 US presidential election:
