**Election Results: When Were Past Races Called?**

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Post on Nov 06, 2024

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Election Results: When Were Past Races Called?

You're glued to the TV, refreshing your browser every few seconds, waiting for the news: who won? The excitement is building, but you're also dying to know when they'll actually call the election.

So, how do they know? And how long does it typically take? Let's dive into the history of past elections to get a sense of what to expect this time around.

When Did We Know the Winner in Past Elections?

It's a bit of a cliche, but every election is different. Sometimes, we know the winner within hours. Other times, it takes days, even weeks.

Here's a quick breakdown of some recent elections:

2020 Presidential Election: This one was a real nail-biter. The major networks didn't call it until Saturday, November 7th, 2020 - more than two days after Election Day! This was due to a number of factors, including a close race, mail-in voting, and a high number of absentee ballots.

2016 Presidential Election: In contrast, this race was called much faster. The major networks called the election for Donald Trump around 2:30 am EST on November 9th, 2016. While there was some uncertainty in key states like Michigan and Wisconsin, the overall picture became clear fairly quickly.

2012 Presidential Election: This was another election that was called relatively quickly. The major networks called it for Barack Obama at around 11:15 pm EST on November 6th, 2012, just a little over an hour after polls closed in some states.

2008 Presidential Election: The Obama-McCain race was a close one, but it was called pretty early, around 11:30 pm EST on November 4th, 2008. This was due to a large lead in key states like Ohio and Pennsylvania.

What Impacts the Timing of Election Results?

A number of factors can affect how long it takes for an election to be called. These include:

• The closeness of the race: The more close a race, the longer it will take to determine a winner.
• Turnout: A high turnout can lead to a longer count, especially if there are many absentee or mail-in ballots.
• The number of battleground states: The more states that are considered close, the longer it will take to call the race.
• The availability of data: Real-time election data can help networks project a winner more quickly, but in some states, this data is not readily available.

Key Takeaways

It's important to remember that these are just general trends. Every election is unique, and it's impossible to say for sure when a race will be called. But by understanding the factors that can affect the timing of election results, you can be better prepared for the wait.

Remember, patience is key! So grab some snacks, settle in, and wait for the official results. We're all in this together.