The 2024 US presidential election is finally here. But, as with every White House newcomer, whoever wins won’t enter the Oval Office for quite some time yet.

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump fought it out for the most powerful job in the world, with both of them confident of beating the other as millions of US citizens vote in the 2024 election taking place on Tuesday (5 November).

The reality of the situation is that it was a complete toss-up, with the polls too close to confidently say whether the Democrats or Republicans will definitely triumph.

But as the polls closed, it became clear within hours that Trump was destined to return to Washington DC; although he will not sit behind the desk of the Oval Office on Wednesday.

When will Trump be announced as the new president?

Voters in the USA took to the polls on Tuesday to usher Donald Trump back in to the White House.

Millions of votes have been cast early this time around, with recounts mentioned as a possibility due to how close the result could be.

Legal challenges were also mentioned, especially if Trump lost, given that he still maintains the 2020 presidential election was ‘rigged’ and ‘fraudulent’.

But as with Barack Obama and Trump’s victories in 2012 and 2016, respectively, the result was known within hours.

What happens after they’ve been announced as president?

Once the result looked confirmed, Trump addressed his campaign teams and a live audience in a televised announcement.

From here, the work continues in the background.

All US states must verify their results by 11 December under the Electoral Count Act. In the window up until this date, any issues or controversies can be filed – such as contesting a result, as Trump did in 2020 – before results are rubber-stamped.

On 17 December, electors from each state will meet to formally put forward their local results for president and vice president.

The vote will be incredibly close (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

So, when do they become president?

Once the votes are ratified and sent to Washington, home of the USA’s political powerhouse, movement will start to bring in the new president.

This takes place after the US Congress meets to count the electoral votes on 6 January, overseen by the current vice president, which itself might be controversial to some voters, due to that person currently being Harris herself.

It was during this meeting in 2021 that the US Capitol building – where Congress sits – was stormed by people who didn’t agree with the result showing a Biden win.

Then, on 20 January, it will be Inauguration Day, where Joe Biden will officially hand over power to Trump, who will take the presidential oath of office alongside the same oath for the new vice president.