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Here & Now Anytime

When will we know election results?

Nov 5, 2024
Miles Parks, an NPR correspondent, dives into the complexities of election results, emphasizing how varying state rules on mail-in ballots can delay counts. Kermit Roosevelt, a constitutional law professor, sheds light on the often-misunderstood Electoral College and its role in determining presidential outcomes. Meanwhile, Ellen King, co-owner of Hewn Bread, shares the delightful tradition of election cakes, highlighting their historical significance and recipe, blending food and democracy in a flavorful discussion.
22:07

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Delays in election result announcements are caused by varying mail-in ballot counting procedures across states, with historical contexts underlining these complexities.
  • The Electoral College system can result in a president being elected without winning the popular vote, raising ongoing debates about its fairness and potential alternatives.

Deep dives

Understanding Election Result Delays

Delays in election result announcements are normal, particularly in pivotal states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, due to varying procedures for counting mail-in ballots. In North Carolina, the quick counting of ballots is facilitated by minimal mail-in voting, allowing results to emerge sooner; however, tight margins may still prolong the announcement. Conversely, Nevada and Arizona, where vote-by-mail is predominant, may experience longer counting times, especially if ballots arrive close to Election Day. In fact, historical context shows that North Carolina took ten days to finalize results in 2020, underlining the complexities of election tallying even in states with effective systems.

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