Live election 2024 updates in the Philadelphia region and the focus on Pennsylvania

Long lines of voters began forming bright and early on Election Day in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Thirty to 40 minutes before the polls opened in Keystone State, voters began forming a line outside of the Union Fire Company in Bensalem.

"I saw the lines for early voting was -- a buddy of mine was in line for four hours, so I said, 'I said let's go early.' I have a tee time at 8 a.m., so I figured I could get this in," said Alexander Bohatiuk, who was one of the first people in line to vote.

Voters are being patient despite the long lines they saw with early voting and the lines they're seeing on Election Day.

Thirty to 40 minutes before the polls opened in Pennsylvania, voters began forming a line outside of the Union Fire Company in Bensalem.

"I was off from work today so I decided to come early and I want to get it out of the way and done right," explained Ann Heil.

As lines grow at polling places across the country, all eyes are on the battleground state of Pennsylvania. Especially Bucks County-- which is one of the counties in the commonwealth that could decide the election.

"I think being prepared we're prepared right now levelheads will prevail tomorrow's a new day hoping everyone can move on turn the chapter start our lives without politics," said Bohatiuk.

Wait times have ranged from 15 to 45 minutes at the Union Fire Company.

Polls close at 8 p.m.

Action News has some important reminders for Pennsylvania voters.

If you have a mail-in ballot, make sure you get it into a drop box by 8 p.m. Wednesday night.

If you've voting in person, make sure you are in line by 8 p.m. Tuesday night.

If you encounter any issues at the polls, be aware of resources that are in place to help you. For instance, if the poll worker can't find your name in the book or if you're told you have to go elsewhere to vote but you can't get there, the Vice Chair of the Philadelphia City Commissioners says to ask for a provisional ballot and cast your vote.

"What I always tell people is, just relax," said Lisa Deeley. "If you're not going to be able to go wherever they're sending you, don't leave. Just ask for a provisional ballot."

Action News has some important reminders for Pennsylvania voters.

Now, if you've already submitted a mail-in ballot, make sure there's no issue with it, like no date or failing to use the secrecy envelope.

You can check that by calling 215-686-VOTE or online here.

Commissioner Deeley says Election Day for Philadelphia is like TastyKake and Rocky, you can't beat it.

She is also reminding people that poll workers are your neighbors who are just trying to propel democracy on Election Day, so please be kind and be patient.

The first election results will come in tonight shortly after 6 p.m. Eastern, but we will likely have to wait until Wednesday or even later to know who won. This is for two reasons: First, this is a really close race, and media outlets won't project a winner until they're absolutely certain that one candidate has an insurmountable lead. Second, it takes time for states to count the millions of ballots expected to be cast.

We may not know the results of the 2024 election on Tuesday night but we might have a good idea of how things are headed.

Each state counts votes on a different timeline. Roughly speaking, the seven main presidential swing states fall into three categories in this regard. First, Georgia and North Carolina are expected to count the quickest. Both of these states are expected to release a large chunk of their results shortly after polls close.

Then, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin count at a moderate pace. They will probably be counting all through the night but should be done by Wednesday morning (although Pennsylvania could take longer). Finally, Arizona and Nevada always take days to count their votes, so if the presidential race comes down to those states, don't expect a projection until late in the week.

It's go-time as elections commission workers begin the process of counting ballots.

They are opening envelopes, checking for dates and signatures, flattening ballots and then sending them in to be scanned and counted.

It's a process all happening inside Philadelphia's City Commissioners Election Warehouse -- a process our democracy is counting on.

"We are going to continue to work 24/7 until all ballots get counted," said city commissioner Seth Bluestein.

The canvassing started at 7 a.m. on Tuesday. As the polls opened across the city, the employees at the elections warehouse began opening mail-in ballots.

Election officials have begun opening envelopes, checking for dates and signatures, flattening ballots so they can be scanned and counted.

"We want to hear from every Philadelphian, whether you vote by mail, or in person. We want to hear from you," said fellow city commissioner Omar Sabir.

With more than 230,000 mail-in ballots issued to eligible voters in Philadelphia, about 190,000 have been received by the board of elections for counting.

ALSO SEE: Pennsylvania Mail-In Ballot Tracker

More will also be collected at 8 p.m. from 34 "Green" Board of Elections Drop Boxes across the city.

At the same time, votes cast at polling locations will also start to come in waves for counting and eventual certification.

They could stretch into Thursday, with hundreds of elections employees working around the clock in three shifts to count each ballot received.

"If you don't know the results of the election when you go to sleep tonight, it's not the sign of something nefarious. What it is, though, is a sign that the election workers are doing their job, and they are focused on doing it well. We're going to make sure every single eligible ballot gets counted correctly," Bluestein said.

There are 40,000 mail-in ballots that have not been returned in the City of Philadelphia.

If you have a mail-in ballot that you have not returned, fill it out and find a green drop box, do NOT place it in the mail today. You can also go to your polling place- turn in your unfinished mail-in ballot and request a provisional ballot.