Unveiling the Hour: When Were Recent Presidential Election Results Revealed?

As polls close on Election Day, all eyes turn to major networks and The Associated Press for updates on the presidential election results.

Millions of Americans will have already voted prior to the final ballots being cast. Recent elections have shown an increase in time needed to determine a winner, as the complexity of results unfolds.

Since 1848, The Associated Press has been a key player in vote counting, serving as a credible source for news organizations to project outcomes and declare winners.

Historical election result announcements vary widely. In the 2020 election, Joe Biden was declared the winner four days after Election Day, at 11:26 a.m. ET on November 7. Contrast this with the 2016 election, when Donald Trump was called the victor shortly after 2:00 a.m. ET on November 9, based on his win in Wisconsin, which secured him the necessary electoral votes.

Likewise, in 2012, Barack Obama was re-elected after The AP announced his victory at 11:38 p.m. ET, having won Colorado. The 2008 election concluded with Barack Obama being called as the first African American president around 11 p.m. ET, defeating John McCain.

The process for collecting and announcing election results in the U.S. is decentralized. There is no national body overseeing the tallying of votes; instead, local offices administer elections based on state-set standards. Hence, results will emerge as polls close in various states, though a definitive declaration of the next president may require additional time.

As Election Day unfolds, anticipation builds. Voters and analysts alike await updates that will shape the political landscape of the nation.