How are they reporting some results before polls close?

[russiamommy]

I don’t understand. Don’t they have to wait til polls close to report any results?

[Proud liberal 80]

1. Kentucky and Indiana have two closing times

600 PM and 7PM

[forward2012inny]

9. Watching Kentucky...

Interesting in Fayette County (Lexington). 51% reporting, Biden at 61k votes. Clinton only managed 70k total. Trump has 21k (2016 had 57k total). Sample sample size, etc, but I'll take any positives... And I'm not saying Biden is taking Kentucky but looking for a trend (anywhere I can find one lol).

[Phoenix61]

2. They are reporting votes based on voter

registration. That’s why it’s Rep/Dem/Ind.

[Proud liberal 80]

12. No these are real votes

[Mike 03]

14. That's what I thought too.

At one point CNN even said, in speaking about a precinct in Kentucky, "this is based on 3,000 votes."

[meow2u3]

3. Split poll closing times

Some parts of states close earlier than others in some states, e.g., Florida, Texas, etc.

[Hokie]

4. Indiana and Kentucky close at 6 PM EST

They are stuck in the 1800s when farmers went to bed at sundown.

[Croney]

5. First results were reported just after midnight, from Dixville Notch, NH.

Biden 5 out of 5.

[Drunken Irishman]

6. Some states are in two different time zones...

So, they can start counting and reporting in one time zone while waiting for the other time zone before polls officially close and the state is either called or characterized.

Kentucky and Indiana are two of these states - as are Florida, Michigan, Kansas I think, the Dakotas, Texas and Idaho.

[DrToast]

7. Some polls have closed

[Totally Tunsie]

8. Exit polling.

[russiamommy]

10. That makes sense

Thanks!

[Windy City Charlie]

11. Different time zones in some states

Some states are in more than 1 time zone.

[bdamomma]

13. I don't get it either.

They showed on MSNBC in New Hampshire Trump ahead did anyone see that only 1% of votes are in.

[Hamlette]

15. MSNBC is reporting mail in and early voting ballots that have been counted.

only works in states that can count early. Some states don't allow counting until election day. (MI WI PA) Florida allows counting early so you have totals of early and mail in voting in FA and maybe other states now or soon.