The 2024 race for the White House came to a surprising close in the early hours of Nov. 6, with former President reclaiming the presidency after a decisive sweep in multiple swing states. Once the Associated Press projected his win in Wisconsin, he reached the critical 270 electoral votes, securing his return to the Oval Office. In a night that delivered more than a few surprises, Republicans also regained control of the Senate, while the House majority remains up in the air. With major ballot initiatives on the line in states across the country, voters made their voices heard on issues ranging from marijuana legalization to abortion access.
The victorious former president celebrated the outcome with supporters in South Florida, calling it a “magnificent victory.” He expressed gratitude to Americans for granting him the rare distinction of serving as both the 45th and now 47th president. The win not only makes him the first president since Grover Cleveland to serve two nonconsecutive terms but also puts him on track to possibly win the popular vote—a feat Republicans haven’t accomplished in two decades. With a neck-and-neck race in the polls throughout October, both parties poured their resources into battleground states, and while some predicted close calls, the red wave seemed to solidify as the night went on.
The final weeks saw the opposition pouring resources into states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, hoping to pull off a win. But by early Wednesday morning, the votes told a different story, with all three states turning red. Trump expanded his margins from 2016 in key regions and showed strong numbers in Nevada, a state he lost in 2016. Election turnout has been on a steady rise in recent cycles, with 2020 seeing record numbers, and this year was no exception. In states like Georgia and Michigan, early estimates showed turnout potentially surpassing 2020 levels, according to state officials, further underscoring the intensity of this election.
While ballots were still being counted in many places, election officials were already noting the impressive turnout. Georgia’s secretary of state reported early on Election Day that over 5 million votes were expected—an increase from four years prior. Michigan’s secretary of state shared a similar outlook, telling reporters she was “hopeful” about surpassing 2020’s turnout record, adding that high voter engagement this cycle was something to be proud of.
One demographic shift making headlines is Trump’s improved support among Latino voters in battleground states. According to exit polls, he gained ground with Latino voters across the country, particularly in states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Nevada. Nationally, 45 percent of Latino voters reported supporting Trump, an improvement from 2020. In Nevada, where Latinos make up a significant portion of the electorate, Trump and his opponent appeared neck and neck, each securing about 47 percent of this critical vote.
The night also brought good news for Republicans in the Senate, where they regained control after flipping seats in Ohio and West Virginia. This puts the party in the driver’s seat come January, with control over key legislative and nomination decisions. In Ohio, the incumbent Democrat lost to a Republican businessman, marking a shift in a state that has consistently leaned toward Trump’s brand of manufacturing-focused politics. West Virginia saw a Republican governor take over the seat of a retiring senator, solidifying the state’s shift away from its Democratic roots—a change that’s been building since 2015.
As the dust settles, Republicans are also eyeing the House, though control remains undecided. Early projections have Republicans in the lead, with a few crucial races yet to be called. The former president, celebrating his victory, voiced confidence in his party’s prospects in the House, emphasizing the importance of a unified government for his agenda. Early House results in states like New York and Pennsylvania showed mixed outcomes, with incumbents on both sides holding onto seats and a few upsets for Democrats in traditionally blue districts. While Republicans gained ground in New York, Democrats managed to flip a couple of GOP seats in upstate regions.
Alongside national races, voters across ten states weighed in on abortion-related measures. In reliably blue states like Maryland and Colorado, amendments were approved to protect abortion access, while more conservative states like South Dakota rejected similar efforts. Florida’s mixed political landscape provided an interesting twist, as a proposed amendment to legalize abortion failed to meet the threshold, marking a victory for the pro-life movement. Meanwhile, marijuana initiatives also saw split results, with conservative Florida rejecting recreational use, even as Nebraska voters approved medicinal marijuana.
With a presidential win, Senate control, and promising House prospects, the Republican Party is already planning for its upcoming term. In his victory remarks, the newly elected president emphasized his agenda for the next four years, with his eye on pressing issues and the legislative battles to come. As the nation closes another chapter in its political saga, one thing is certain: this election night will be remembered as a game-changer.
