Former President Donald Trump is demanding that the winner of the presidential race be declared shortly after polls close on Election Day, setting a pattern he initiated in 2020 by declaring victory early and claiming fraud. However, election experts emphasize that ensuring the accuracy and security of the vote count is the priority, even if it means waiting longer for results. Two key swing states have Republican lawmakers who have refused to change laws that delay the count, making it unlikely for a quick declaration of the winner in a close election.
Trump’s demands for the race to be decided soon after polls begin closing do not align with the reality of conducting elections in the United States, given the six time zones across the country and the decentralized system of voting in nearly 10,000 jurisdictions. Unlike countries that tabulate a single election at a time, the U.S. system requires counting multiple races and ballot measures simultaneously, leading to a longer process to determine the outcome. Trump’s criticism of the election process not being as swift as in other countries fails to consider the complexities of the American electoral system.
While declaring a winner may take time, it is essential to ensure that every vote is counted accurately. The Associated Press calls races when there is no possibility for the trailing candidate to catch up, but in close contests, every vote matters. The delayed tally in some states is due to state-specific election rules, such as in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, where laws prevent early processing of mail-in ballots. Democrats have traditionally dominated mail voting, causing delays in reporting results until after Election Day, which has been exploited by Trump in past elections.
Some of Trump’s allies are urging him to be more aggressive in declaring victory this time around, similar to efforts in 2020. Longtime ally Steve Bannon suggests Trump should assert victory earlier, while former national security adviser Michael Flynn warns of potential violence in states still counting ballots after Election Day. Trump and his supporters have been touting early vote data and polls to project an inevitability about his win, but it is essential to wait until all votes are tallied to determine the election outcome.
Overall, the process of counting votes in the U.S. election is designed to prioritize accuracy and security over speed, as emphasized by election experts and officials. Despite calls for a swift declaration of the winner, the decentralized nature of the American electoral system and state-specific rules contribute to delays in reporting results. As the 2024 election unfolds, both parties are closely watching the vote count process to see how it will impact the outcome, highlighting the importance of patience and ensuring that every vote is counted before determining the winner.
