This chapter examines the complex nature of the electoral process with a focus on phenomena such as 'red mirage' and 'blue shift' which influence election outcomes due to the varying timelines of mail-in ballot counting. It highlights the disparity in voting methods across partisan lines, particularly during the pandemic, and how this affects perceptions of election results in key states like Pennsylvania and Florida. Additionally, the chapter emphasizes the importance of understanding historical voting patterns and state-specific ballot processing laws to grasp the changing narratives around election night reporting.