Past Presidential Race Call Times: What To Expect

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Post on Nov 06, 2024

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Past Presidential Race Call Times: What To Expect on Election Night

So, you're glued to the TV on Election Night, anxiously awaiting the results of the presidential race. You're not alone! Millions of Americans will be doing the same, hoping to get a sense of who will be leading the country for the next four years. But how long will we have to wait? When can we expect news outlets to make the call?

It's tough to say for sure, but we can look at past elections for clues.

The Big Picture

Let's be real, Election Night can be a rollercoaster. Early returns can be exciting, but sometimes they're misleading. And those agonizingly long hours of waiting can be nerve-wracking. The bottom line is that it all comes down to the states, and the race can tighten or widen as the night progresses.

Past Presidential Race Call Times

Here's a quick look at the times news outlets called the last few presidential races:

• 2020: Most major networks called the race for Joe Biden around 11:30 p.m. EST on Election Night, though it was a long night with some states still counting votes days later.
• 2016: The race was called for Donald Trump around 2:30 a.m. EST on Election Night, but there were a lot of surprises and the results were a little closer than expected.
• 2012: Barack Obama was declared the winner around 11:30 p.m. EST on Election Night, though some states still had ballots to count.

Factors Affecting Call Times

There are several factors that affect when a race can be called, including:

• Polling data: Polls can give a good indication of the likely outcome, but they're not always accurate.
• Exit polls: These surveys of voters as they leave polling places can offer valuable insights, but they're also subject to error.
• Vote counting: The amount of time it takes to count votes varies from state to state, and some states have laws that require counting to continue even after the polls close.
• Battleground states: These are the states where the race is closest, and they usually take longer to call.

What to Expect in 2024

It's impossible to say for sure how long it will take to call the 2024 presidential race, but we can use past elections as a guide. It's likely that news outlets will start calling states as they come in, but it's possible that we'll have to wait until the wee hours of the morning to see a definitive winner.

Stay Calm, Stay Informed

The best thing to do on Election Night is to stay calm, stay informed, and be patient. There will be plenty of coverage on TV, online, and on social media, so you won't miss anything. Just remember that it's okay to step away from the screen if it gets overwhelming! We'll get through it together.