The US presidential election is on November 5, but that doesn’t mean the final results will be announced that day. With each election, more and more Americans are voting by mail. This takes longer to count than in-person ballots because they need to be opened and verified. That means that finding a winner on election night could be a thing of the past.
In 2020, the election took place on November 3, but it wasn't until November 7 that media outlets projected the winner of the presidential race.
US Election: Why Results May Not Be Announced on the Same Day?
This year, the timing of when the outcome will be known will depend on two factors, according to Fivethirtyeight: how close the vote is and how quickly the states count their votes. While the first factor is hard to predict, the speed at which states count their votes is predictable.
However, some states count ballots quickly because they have laws that require them to be expedited. Meanwhile, other states count ballots slowly because they do not have such laws and have a large number of mail-in ballots.
Workers process mail-in ballots in California on October 29.
Moreover, human error or technical glitches can delay the announcement of results. In fast-track boards, it can take days or even weeks to name a winner if the election is extremely close.
For example, in Arizona, where 90% of ballots were cast by mail in 2020, counting is only allowed after polls close.
Provisional ballots (used when there is doubt about a voter's eligibility) and absentee ballots from overseas can make a difference when the margin between two candidates is very small.
Additionally, candidates can request a recount, which could further delay the announcement of results.
Voters cast their ballots in Detroit, Michigan on November 3.
'Virtual' results
Voting on Election Day will take place on the morning of November 5 (local time), which is the same evening in Vietnam. Most polling stations will close from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on November 5, Eastern Standard Time (EST), which is 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on November 6, Vietnam time.
Results are expected to be announced gradually after local polls close. Because the US territory spans many time zones, some states on the West Coast are still voting while results on the East Coast begin to be announced.
US Election: Who are the electors that decide who will be the president?
According to The New York Times , the large number of people voting by mail and the difference in vote counting time in different states can create a phenomenon called "mirage" in the results. Accordingly, the number of votes counted initially shows that one candidate has a temporary advantage but does not match the final result. Democrats are said to be more likely to vote by mail.
In Michigan in 2020, the initial vote count created a "red mirage" when it showed Donald Trump leading, until the mail-in ballots were counted and Joe Biden won the election.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/khi-nao-co-ket-qua-bau-cu-tong-thong-my-185241104170030048.htm
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