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when will an election be called ?

When Will an Election Be Called?

**Quand les élections seront-elles appelées ?**

As the American presidential election approaches, citizens are starting to wonder when the election results will be called. But why is it important to know when the election will be called?

For a long time, voters have waited with bated breath for the election results, but now, with technological advancements and online information at our fingertips, people want to know as soon as possible when the results will be known.

In this article, we will explore the criteria that determine when election results are called and when they are expected.

**The Election Result Calling Process**

The calling of election results is a complex process that involves several steps and actors. Media outlets, such as Reuters, AP, and CNN, play a crucial role in announcing the results.

According to Ballotpedia, the organization that decides when to call an election uses two main criteria:

1. **Type of Office**: Voters cast their ballots for different types of offices, such as Congress, House of Representatives, and Governor.
2. **Battleground State**: Elections are considered battlegrounds when they take place in key states crucial for the presidential election.

**When Will the Results Be Called?**

According to USA.gov, the presidential election results are likely to be known within 2 to 3 days after the election.

But how do media outlets decide when to call an election? According to a Vox article, Decision Desk HQ, an independent organization, called the presidential election for Joe Biden three days after the election in 2020.

**The Associated Press Criteria**

The AP uses the same criteria as Ballotpedia to determine when to call an election. According to their website, AP journalists rely on three factors to call an election:

1. **Counted Results**: When the results are clear enough to announce a winner.
2. **Trend of Results**: In some cases, the AP may declare a winner even if not all results are counted, as long as the trend is clear.
3. **Stabilization of Results**: The AP will call an election if it is clear that the results will not change.

**Conclusion**

In conclusion, calling election results is a complex process that depends on several factors. Voters will likely have to wait 2 to 3 days after the election for the results to be known. But how do media outlets decide when to call an election? The AP, for example, uses counted results, trend of results, and stabilization of results to decide when to call an election.

So, the next time you’re waiting anxiously for election results, remember the complexity of the process and the factors that go into calling an election.