The EAC hosted a panel discussion about preparing for election night reporting and the importance of fact-checking and balance in the coverage of election results. Speakers discussed the process of counting ballots, managing expectations and misinformation, and the impact of the media’s use of early returns.
The final result of an election is determined when all votes are counted and certified by the state’s chief elections official. This process, called a canvass, may take days or weeks after Election Day to ensure that every eligible ballot is securely and accurately counted. The EAC has produced a number of explainer articles about this process, and you can find more information on our website here.
While early returns and polling data can help determine how close a race is, election officials must continue to count all ballots from every location where polls have closed to give the public an accurate picture of how each race is going. It takes time for all ballots to be scanned, counted and reported. After a news outlet gives its election call, it will often devote less time to ongoing vote counting while still giving updates on each individual race.
Research shows that trust in reputable information sources can buffer against emotional distress as the results of an election are released and verified. When watching or reading about the results, make sure to check in with AP or Reuters in addition to your “go-to” sources like TikTok and Facebook.