**Past Election Calls: How Long Did It Take?**

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Post on Nov 06, 2024

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Past Election Calls: How Long Did It Take?

You know that feeling, right? Election night, the polls close, and you're glued to the TV, waiting for that magic moment when they call it for one candidate or the other. But how long does it actually take? It's not always an instant win.

The Short Answer: It Varies.

It's all about the state, the race, and the rules. Some states count ballots super fast, others take their sweet time. It's all about those little details, like whether they have mail-in voting or if they need to recount.

Let's Look Back:

• 2020 Presidential Election: Remember how nail-biting that one was? It took a few days for some states to finalize their results, especially those big ones like Arizona and Pennsylvania.
• 2016 Presidential Election: That was a bit quicker. Most states called the election for Trump on election night. But it's important to remember that there were some states that took a bit longer.
• 2012 Presidential Election: This one was pretty straightforward. Most states had their results finalized by the next morning. Obama won, and it was pretty clear early on.

Why the Delay?

There are a few reasons why it can take time to call an election:

• Mail-in Voting: When people vote by mail, those ballots take time to process. It's a good thing, but it can lead to delays in getting final counts.
• Close Races: When the race is really close, you might need to wait for every single vote to be counted before a winner can be declared.
• Recounts: If the race is really, really close, you might have a recount. That can take a while!

The Bottom Line

While it's tempting to want a quick answer, it's important to remember that every election is different. Sometimes it takes a few days, sometimes it takes a few weeks. And sometimes, it takes a few months for everything to be sorted out.

So, next time you're watching election night coverage, be patient. It's a marathon, not a sprint. And remember, even though it can feel like forever, it's worth waiting for the results to be accurate.