The Associated Press (AP) and major television networks play a crucial role in declaring election winners in the United States, especially in the race for president. While state and local governments are responsible for counting the votes and maintaining the official record, the process can take anywhere from days to months. The AP, founded in 1846, stepped in to fill the gap in the Constitution by providing independent and non-partisan updates on election results. This tradition has continued over the years, with the AP and other media outlets calling races when they are 100% certain of the outcome.
The history of election calls dates back to the 1800s, with the AP being one of the first to tabulate election results. In the early 1900s, the AP and major networks like ABC, CBS, and NBC pooled their resources to compile vote counts for key races. After the 2016 election, the AP left the network pool to continue its independent vote count operation and launched the AP VoteCast survey of the American electorate. The AP’s vote count is an effort to make sense of the thousands of votes from counties and towns nationwide, providing voters with access to the overall vote count for a race.
In the process of counting the vote, the AP does not tabulate the results of individual voters’ actual ballots, as this work is done by local government election officials. The Constitution leaves the details of running elections to the states, resulting in 51 different sets of rules on how elections are run. Some states certify results within days, while others take weeks or even months. The AP’s role is to provide a standardized format of vote totals from various jurisdictions, making it easier for voters to understand the overall outcome of a race.
The presidential election, with its complexities in the Electoral College, requires careful consideration before declaring a winner. The AP’s standard is to call a race when they are 100% certain there is no path for the trailing candidate to overtake the leading candidate. These race calls are not official government decrees but provide a timely and independent assessment of the election outcome. By providing accurate and timely race calls, the AP and other media outlets help ensure voters understand the results of an election and how a candidate won. Overall, their role is essential in informing the public and upholding the integrity of the electoral process.
As the United States gears up for the 2024 Election, understanding the role of the news media in declaring election winners is crucial. The AP’s democracy initiative aims to enhance explanatory coverage of elections and democracy, with support from private foundations. By following the AP’s updates on elections and democracy, voters can gain a better understanding of the American democratic process and stay informed about the latest developments in the electoral landscape. Through independent and timely reporting, the AP continues to play a vital role in upholding the principles of democracy and transparency in elections.
