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As the dust settles over the high-stakes presidential race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, multiple downballot contests continue to keep Americans on the edge of their seats. With Trump securing his return to the presidency and a Republican Senate majority projected by ABC News, the political landscape remains highly volatile pending the outcomes of several pivotal House races and others.

The fight for control of the House of Representatives is still ongoing, with ballots in key states like California, Arizona, and Nevada being meticulously counted. This prolonged counting process means it could be several days before victorious candidates are officially declared. The implications of these races are significant; a Republican or Democratic majority in the House could extensively influence Trump’s ability to fulfill his second-term agenda.

In what has been a closely-watched election, notable results are beginning to trickle in. In Michigan, ABC News projects that Democrat Elissa Slotkin will emerge victorious in the U.S. Senate race, a seat vacated by retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow. Slotkin holds 49% of the vote against Republican Mike Rogers’s 48%, with 97% of the expected vote reporting.

Meanwhile, New Jersey’s 9th Congressional District is witnessing a nail-biter contest to succeed the late Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell. Democratic state Senator Nellie Pou leads Republican Billy Prempeh by a narrow margin, with 51% to Prempeh’s 46% and 79% of the expected vote counted. Despite the Associated Press calling the race for Pou, Prempeh has yet to concede, arguing falsely that a significant number of votes remain uncounted. Official reports, however, indicate that only around 2,000 mail ballots are still being processed.

In Pennsylvania, the Senate race between Republican Dave McCormick and incumbent Democratic Sen. Bob Casey Jr. has also drawn significant attention. Initial estimates suggested a large number of uncounted votes in Philadelphia, but recent data reveal that only 16 election divisions remain, with 1,703 ballots outstanding. This development positions McCormick favorably to secure a win.

At Howard University, Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to supporters, urging them to accept the election results but to continue fighting for key issues such as democracy, the rule of law, and reproductive rights. Her call for mobilization came amidst reflections on reduced Democratic turnout in key swing states and the extraordinary factors that shaped her campaign.

As the nation waits for final counts in these crucial races, it’s evident that the political dynamics of the coming years hinge on these last pieces of the 2024 election puzzle. For ongoing updates and in-depth analysis, follow our live blog dedicated to these remaining contests.