Countdown to the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election: Key Events and Dates

The article outlines key events in the U.S. presidential election timeline, leading up to the inauguration on January 20, 2025. It highlights important dates such as debates, Election Day, and the Electoral College vote count, and discusses relevant incidents including Trump's legal issues and the 2021 Capitol attack.

The high-stakes showdown between Republican former President Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris is set to define the upcoming U.S. presidential election on November 5. Key dates leading to Inauguration Day in January 2025 shape both parties' strategies and voter expectations.

On October 1, Republican VP candidate JD Vance and Democratic rival Tim Walz will debate in an event hosted by CBS News. Election Day follows on November 5, after which results might not be immediately clear due to the potential impact of mail-in ballots.

The timeline intensifies post-election. November 26 marks Trump's sentencing in the Manhattan hush money case, impacting his campaign narrative. By December 17, Electoral College electors will select the president and vice president, with votes due to the Senate President by Christmas. The January 6 Electoral College vote count, presided over by the Vice President, harkens back to the 2021 Capitol attack, underscoring the reforms passed to prevent similar disruptions. The curtain falls with the Inauguration on January 20, officially welcoming the election winner into office.

(With inputs from agencies.)