Will There Be a Recount of the 2024 Presidential Election Results?

Vice President Kamala Harris has conceded the 2024 presidential election, setting the stage for President-elect Donald Trump to start his second term as the 47th U.S. president in January.
Leading up to Tuesday, the 2024 race was touted to be one of the closest in United States history. As of Wednesday evening, Trump had flipped four states—Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin—that were considered crucial in determining the next federal administration. All four were won by Biden in 2020, some by incredibly slim margins.
Trump also won North Carolina late Tuesday, another critical swing state he won in 2020 and 2016. As of Wednesday evening, votes are still being counted in Arizona and Nevada.
Some have speculated whether the final count of the 2024 presidential election could warrant a recount. In 2020, a handful of counties in swing states like Arizona, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin recounted their ballots following calls from the Trump campaign. Some states also have laws that enact an automatic if the margin between two candidates is close enough.
Harris called Trump on Wednesday and vowed to work alongside President Joe Biden to ensure a smooth transition of power. She also spoke to supporters at her alma mater, Howard University, in Washington, D.C., where she said she was “full of gratitude.”
“I know many people feel like we’re entering a dark time,” Harris said. “But for the benefit of us all, I hope that’s not the case.”
“My heart is full today, full of gratitude,” she added. “Hear me when I say the light of America’s promise will always burn bright.”
Several in attendance were seen watching Harris speak with tearful eyes, including her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and her husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff.
“We will never give up the fight for our democracy, the rule of law, of the rule of justice and the sacred idea that every one of us, no matter who we are or where we start out, have certain fundamental rights and freedoms that must be upheld,” Harris said. “We will continue to wage this fight.”
Laws regarding election recounts vary by state. According to the Associated Press (AP) and National Conference of State Legislatures, 25 states and the District of Columbia have laws that trigger automatic recounts if an election is close. For example, if the margin between two candidates is less than 0.5 percent or 1,000 votes, a recount is automatically triggered in Delaware.
Again, the law varies by state. Even if a state does not have laws enacting an automatic recount in a close election, candidates may be able to request one if the margin meets a certain threshold.
Below is a list of the recount laws in the 2024 swing states:
In the 2024 race, Harris’ clearest path to victory was to secure the three “Blue Wall” states that were considered battleground contests this year: Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. As of Wednesday evening, Trump has secured five out of the seven swing states called. He also leads in Arizona and Nevada.
It is unlikely that Harris will call for a recount at this point. As of Wednesday, per AP, she was losing to Trump by 0.9 percent of the total votes cast in Wisconsin (49.7 percent to 48.8 percent). Over 95 percent of the ballots had been counted at the time of publication.
In Pennsylvania, with over 95 percent of the votes counted, Harris trails Trump by 1 percent, 50 to 49. Candidates cannot request a recount in the state, but can make appeals to specific counties, which could result in one.
The results of the 2024 presidential election will be certified by Congress on January 6. Under the Constitution, the vice president, which is Harris, will declare results of the White House election as part of her role as president of the Senate.
The vice president’s vote-tallying procedure to certify the presidential results is typically a formality, although in late 2020 and early 2021, the process was under much more scrutiny, with Trump and his allies pushing for then-Vice President Mike Pence to reject the results of the Electoral College.
Update 11/06/24, 7:30 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and background.