The NPR Politics Podcast When Will Election Races Be Called? Here's The AP's Process
Oct 27, 2020
David Scott, Deputy Managing Editor at the Associated Press, dives into the intricate process behind calling election races. He details how the AP uses data analysis, historical voting trends, and demographic insights to determine outcomes. The discussion highlights the growing complexity of elections with mail-in ballots and early voting, and introduces VoteCast, a tool offering deeper voter insights. Scott shares personal anecdotes about the pressures of election night, illustrating the balancing act of accuracy and timeliness in reporting.
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AP's History in Vote Counting
- The AP began counting votes in 1848, shortly after its founding.
- Early members wanted quicker results, highlighting the AP's long-standing role in U.S. elections.
Calling Races Early
- News outlets like NPR often announce election results before all votes are counted.
- The AP uses various data points to determine if a trailing candidate can catch up.
Factors in Calling Races
- The AP analyzes available data to determine a candidate's potential path to victory.
- Factors considered include historical voting patterns, voter registration, pre-election polls, and the timing and location of counted votes.