November 3rd, or “Election Day” is really the last day for voters to cast ballots. In many states, it is also the first day for counting ballots and tallying results. Even though we’ve gotten used to knowing the outcomes of elections some hours after the polls close, that is not a deadline for declaring winners. Deadlines for when mail-in ballots can be received, when ballots have to be counted by, and when ballots can be “cured” (in states that allow this) vary by state, but there are some key federal dates that apply across the board.

As long as the necessary steps happen by key dates, there will be no real delays. So avoid amplifying the perception of delays in your reporting simply because results might take longer to be announced than we’re used to.

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