
Here's Why
Here's Why Getting US Election Results Is So Complicated
Nov 5, 2024
Megan Crane, Bloomberg's Washington DC editor, delves into the complexities of US election results. She explains the delay factors, including mail-in ballots and varying state rules. Historical election outcomes highlight unpredictability. Crane also tackles ballot curing and tracking processes, particularly in Pennsylvania, revealing how recent changes may affect counting times. The discussion emphasizes the resilience of the U.S. election system amid political tensions and the evolving landscape of voting methods.
09:46
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The decentralized election process in the U.S. leads to significant variability in ballot counting methods across the 51 jurisdictions.
- The rise of mail-in voting and new regulations can prolong election result certifications, complicating the timeline of declaring a winner.
Deep dives
State Variability in Election Processes
Each U.S. state has its own rules governing election processes, leading to significant variability in how ballots are counted. Some states, for instance, count mail-in ballots as they arrive, while others may wait until Election Day to begin the process. In North Carolina, voters have a window of several days after the election to ensure their ballots are counted, which can greatly extend the waiting period for results if the election is tight. This decentralized approach means that understanding election outcomes can be complex, as there are essentially 51 separate elections happening simultaneously.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.