Super Tuesday 2024: Millions go to the polls on the primary day with the highest stakes

Posted

March 5, 2024 at 8:11 AM EST

Today’s primaries are scattered across multiple states and time zones, so poll closing times are especially varied.

Here’s a breakdown of the numbers of delegates at stake and poll closure times, all in Eastern Time:

7 p.m.: Vermont (17), Virginia (48)

7:30 p.m.: North Carolina (74)

8 p.m.: Alabama (50), Maine (20), Massachusetts (40), Oklahoma (43), Tennessee (58)

8:30 p.m.: Arkansas (40)

9 p.m.: Colorado (37), Minnesota (39), Texas (161)* (*First results reported at 8 p.m. ET)

11 p.m. ET: California (169), Utah (40)

So when will we know the results? The Associated Press has called recent primary contests within minutes of polls closing, but it could take longer this time around.

The AP says it will declare winners on Super Tuesday “only when it’s determined there is no scenario that would allow the trailing candidates to close the gap.”

It explains that in noncompetitive contests, the AP may be able to determine winners relatively quickly based on factors like the size of the lead in initial returns, the type of contest and who is eligible to participate, and the state’s voting history.

“Once the polls have closed, if initial vote results received from key locations throughout the state confirm that the frontrunner or expected winner is indeed ahead by an overwhelming margin, the AP may declare a winner in that contest,” it adds.