Live updates of the presidential and local elections

Trump’s victory speech

On Wednesday morning, Donald Trump announced his victory with a 30-minute speech in West Palm Beach, Fla. He thanked his family, team, and running mate, J.D. Vance, among others.

“I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honor of being elected your 47th president and your 45th president,” Trump said. “And every citizen, I will fight for you, for your family, and your future, every single day I will be fighting for you with every breath in my body, I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve.”

This comes after the Associated Press declared the swing states of North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona, and Nevada in favor of Trump. With these victories, he received 292 electoral votes, 22 over the 270-vote requirement. Trump also spoke about numerous Republican victories in the Senate and House of Representatives.

He concluded by reiterating his goals for his presidency, including increasing border security and re-establishing peace. Trump also encourages Americans to put aside their differences and unite.

"It's time to put the divisions of the past four years behind us. It's time to unite, and we're gonna try. We're gonna try. We have to try. And it's gonna happen,” Trump said. “America's future will be bigger, better, bolder, richer, safer, and stronger than it has ever been before. God bless you and God bless America. Thank you very much."

Harris’s concession speech

On Wednesday afternoon, Vice President Kamala Harris gave her concession speech at her alma mater Howard University. She thanked her team, Gov. Walz, President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and more. 

“My heart is full today, full of gratitude for the trust that you [supporters] have placed in me, full of love for our country and full of resolve,” Harris said. “To my beloved Dough and our family, I love you all so very much. To President Biden and Dr. Biden, thank you so much for your faith and support. To Governor Walz and the Walz family, I know the service for our nation will continue. And to my extraordinary team, to my volunteers who gave so much of themselves. To the poll workers and the local elected officials, I thank you, I thank you all.”

Harris delivered her concession speech after Trump won the electoral votes of the swing states North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona, and Nevada. Harris addressed her younger supporters by noting that despite the result not being the one she desired, it’s important to come to terms with it.

“To the young people who are watching, it is okay to feel sad or disappointed, but please know it is going to be okay. On the campaign, I often say when we fight, we win, but here’s the thing: the fight takes a while,” Harris said. “The important thing is to don’t ever give up, don’t ever stop trying to make the world a better place.”

The electoral college is a system of how a state votes for a presidential candidate. Each state receives a certain amount of electoral votes. 

According to archives.gov, each state has the same amount of electoral votes as it does congressional delegates. One for each member of the House of Representatives, and one for the 2 senate members each state is allowed. 

There are a total of 538 electoral votes allocated throughout the country. The first candidate to 270 votes wins.

Georgia’s District Outcomes