It took roughly six hours for The Associated Press to call the U.S. presidential election after the final polls closed on Tuesday, but Americans will wait 76 days before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. Though President Joe Biden’s lame-duck period may seem long, this waiting game is not unique to the United States.
Comparison of Lame Duck Periods
Indonesia held its election in February, but President Prabowo Subianto didn’t assume office until Oct. 20, 214 days later. Similarly, Mexico elected its first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum, on June 3—but she assumed office 120 days later, on Oct. 1. And though Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro declared himself the winner of the contested election on July 29, he will officially be sworn in on Jan. 10, 2025.
However, some elections this year saw quicker turnarounds. Voters in India, Bangladesh, and South Africa reelected their leaders, all of whom assumed office within 20 days. The shortest lame-duck period was in the United Kingdom, where Keir Starmer was appointed prime minister as soon as results were announced on July 5. (Sri Lanka is a notable runner-up: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn in a day after election results were announced on Sept. 22.)
Sources: Various news reports compiled by FP staff.
This post is part of FP’s live coverage with global updates and analysis throughout the U.S. election. Follow along here.