US presidential election: What are the key dates?

Republican former President Donald Trump is set to face Vice President Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 US presidential election after President Joe Biden dropped his reelection bid.

Here is a timeline of events related to the election between now and Inauguration Day in January 2025.

- By Aug. 7: The Democrats are set to hold a virtual vote to officially nominate their candidate.

The Democratic National Committee aims to deliver a presidential nominee by Aug. 7, the original ballot certification deadline in Ohio, although the state has since pushed back its deadline.

- Aug. 19-22: Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

- Sept. 10: This is the date agreed upon by President Joe Biden and Trump for the second presidential debate to be held on ABC. After Biden dropped out of the race in July, Trump said the debate should instead be hosted by Fox News.

- Sept. 18: Trump, the first sitting or former US president to be convicted of a crime, will be sentenced in the Manhattan hush money case where he was found guilty of falsifying documents to cover up a payment to silence a porn star, should the judge decide to uphold the conviction.

The sentencing was delayed so the judge can weigh Trump's argument that he should have been immune from prosecution under July's landmark Supreme Court ruling that presidents cannot be criminally prosecuted for official acts, although he faces an uphill battle since much of the conduct predated his presidency.

Trump denies wrongdoing in the hush money case and has previously said that he plans to appeal.

- Nov. 5: Election Day

- Later in November: It could take days for the election result to be known, especially if it is close and mail-in ballots are a factor.

2025

- Jan. 6: The vice president presides over the Electoral College vote count at a joint session of Congress, announces the results and declares who has been elected. Ahead of the count on Jan. 6, 2021, then-President Trump lambasted his vice president, Mike Pence, for refusing to try to prevent Congress from certifying Biden's win. On that day, the US Capitol was attacked by rioters, and some people chanted "hang Mike Pence" as they tried to stop the count. Both chambers of Congress later resumed their work and certified Biden's win.

Congress has since passed the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022, which requires approval of one-fifth of the House and Senate to consider a challenge to a state's results – a much higher bar than existed before, when any single lawmaker from each chamber could trigger a challenge.

- Jan. 20: The inauguration of the election winner and their vice president takes place. At this ceremony, the victor and vice president are officially sworn into office.