City of Philadelphia Commissioner Seth Bluestein said he believes the 2024 election cycle will count votes faster than in 2020. "We started pre-counting mail-in ballots when polling stations opened at 7am this morning, and we will be counting them much faster than in 2020," Mr. Brustein said. "Many people have already cast their ballots in person, so fewer mail-in ballots will need to be counted this year than in 2020. In addition, Philadelphia has purchased additional equipment this year to help open envelopes faster and has more staff than in the past." Notes: For the 2020 election, the Associated Press announced the winner at 11:26 (EST) four days after Election Day.