Results are being counted across 435 House races, 35 Senate races, 36 gubernatorial contests, and thousands of state legislative seats, along with various ballot measures. NPR relies on its longstanding partnership with the Associated Press to determine race outcomes on election night and beyond.
The Associated Press, which has called races since 1848, employs a structured methodology involving race callers, analysts, and decision editors who coordinate to make determinations. These officials examine far more than headline vote totals, instead studying results county by county and breaking down ballots by type—those cast in person on election day versus those submitted through mail or early voting. The team maintains constant communication with AP’s vote counting division to track what has already been tallied and what remains outstanding.
Races are sometimes called before all votes have been counted, a practice driven by mathematical analysis rather than speculation. The AP’s team determines when a trailing candidate no longer has a viable path to victory, even if substantial votes remain uncounted. The organization emphasizes that its calls are declarations of fact based on vote data and election information, not projections or predictions.
NPR adheres to the same standards, declining to call races based on candidate declarations of victory or concession statements. The news organization will amplify AP race calls across its broadcast and digital platforms, providing real-time results tracking and ensuring that NPR’s member stations receive timely information. As vote counting extends beyond election night, NPR plans continued coverage documenting how the overall balance of power shifts in Congress and statewide offices.
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