In the 2020 presidential race, networks were unable to declare a winner until Saturday after Election Day. Similarly, in 2022, it took until Saturday for projections on Senate control, and the decision on House control stretched until eight days post-election.
What Factors Determine When We’ll Know the Results?
The timing of when we learn the outcomes relies on two key factors: the closeness of the election and how quickly each state counts its ballots. While we can’t predict the competitiveness of the presidential race, we can make educated guesses about states’ ballot counting timelines.
Each state operates differently. Some expedite their counting due to laws designed to speed up the process or due to lower mail-in voting rates. In contrast, other states may face delays if they lack such laws and receive a higher volume of mail-in ballots.
Expected Vote Counting Speed in 2024
As we approach the upcoming election, the speed of vote counting in 2024 is expected to remain relatively consistent across various locations. However, some states have enacted new laws that could either enhance or hinder the speed at which results are reported.
To help voters understand when election results might be available, FiveThirtyEight has compiled information from state election officials and Edison Research, which provides live election results to ABC News. This data outlines what to expect regarding result announcements in each state, factoring in their unique regulations and historical performance.
For detailed insights on when you can expect results from each state, click here to see what we’ve learned about the vote counting process for this election.
As Americans prepare for another critical election, understanding these nuances will be crucial in managing expectations on Election Night and beyond.
