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Question about vote-counting and calling the election (Original Post) ailsagirl Nov 2020 OP
"calling" a state is simply a projection by the networks. It has zero weight under law. Statistical Nov 2020 #1
Thanks, Stastical ailsagirl Nov 2020 #4
I think in the case of such close elections, MoonchildCA Nov 2020 #2
That makes sense, too ailsagirl Nov 2020 #5
once it's perceived looking at the data that a race is resoundingly settled SleeplessinSoCal Nov 2020 #3
I have been watching the AP website... ailsagirl Nov 2020 #6
Arizona is called by Huffpost, which I guess uses AP data. SleeplessinSoCal Nov 2020 #9
Once the number of outstanding ballots is insufficient frazzled Nov 2020 #7
Appreciate that, frazzled! ailsagirl Nov 2020 #8

Statistical

(19,264 posts)
1. "calling" a state is simply a projection by the networks. It has zero weight under law.
Fri Nov 6, 2020, 02:19 PM
Nov 2020

The states will eventually CERTIFY the votes but that hasn't happened in any of the 50 states yet. It won't happen for the earliest state for almost a week and the last one might take a month.

So any map you see of red and blue states are states called based on projections. That is what we are waiting for now. If you want to wait for certified results you might as well turn off your TV and browser for at least two weeks.

MoonchildCA

(1,301 posts)
2. I think in the case of such close elections,
Fri Nov 6, 2020, 02:20 PM
Nov 2020

They will likely wait until the amount we lead by exceeds the votes left to be counted.

SleeplessinSoCal

(8,992 posts)
3. once it's perceived looking at the data that a race is resoundingly settled
Fri Nov 6, 2020, 02:21 PM
Nov 2020

The Associated Press and other news outlets can call a race. Nothing is absolutely settled until the electors convene in December.

ailsagirl

(22,837 posts)
6. I have been watching the AP website...
Fri Nov 6, 2020, 02:25 PM
Nov 2020

and notice that they have Biden at 264 and dump at 214-- I don't think any other outlet has those numbers. Evidently they're pretty certain they've got their numbers right.

SleeplessinSoCal

(8,992 posts)
9. Arizona is called by Huffpost, which I guess uses AP data.
Fri Nov 6, 2020, 02:52 PM
Nov 2020

Arizona could cause the most ire by Republicans because Fox News called it first. And in the end it may well go red.

frazzled

(18,402 posts)
7. Once the number of outstanding ballots is insufficient
Fri Nov 6, 2020, 02:29 PM
Nov 2020

for the candidate who is behind to overcome the gap, even if they were to win 100% of those outstanding votes, the race could be safely called.

Right now, there are still enough votes uncounted in the close states that we can only predict how they might be allocated. Once we get to the point where there are, say, 2000 remaining ballots and Biden has a lead of 3,000, then the jig is up for Trump and the race can be safely called.

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