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Coverage dated November 5, 2024

If the polls just closed, how can AP already declare a winner? How the process works

Headline from Fox10 Phoenix

Many of the races that are called just as the polls close are uncontested elections, according to the Associated Press. Here’s how the organization declares winners.

Fox10 Phoenix's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

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Reports & sources

6 articles, oldest first.

  1. Boston

    How the AP is able to declare winners in states where polls just closed (opens Boston)

    Published

    Boston's feed description

    The Associated Press declared winners Tuesday in some states where polls had just closed, and in some cases before any votes had been released.

  2. AL.com

    Donald Trump wins Alabama: How is the AP able to declare winners in states where polls just closed? (opens AL.com)

    Published

    AL.com's feed description

    The Associated Press has declared winners in some states where polls had just closed.

  3. Fox10 Phoenix

    If the polls just closed, how can AP already declare a winner? How the process works (opens Fox10 Phoenix)

    Published

    Fox10 Phoenix's feed description

    Many of the races that are called just as the polls close are uncontested elections, according to the Associated Press. Here’s how the organization declares winners.

  4. Portland Press Herald

    How the Associated Press is able to declare winners in states where polls just closed (opens Portland Press Herald)

    Published

    Portland Press Herald's feed description

    The AP considers multiple factors and analyzes available data before determining whether a winner can be declared when polls close in a given state.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.