This information affords a state-by-state breakdown, with some recommendations on what outcomes to look at for at every level within the night time. Bear in mind, although, that some states will depend votes sooner than others. The tempo relies upon largely on particular person state legal guidelines, corresponding to whether or not election officers are allowed to start processing mail-in ballots earlier than the polls shut.
As was the case in 2020, early returns could also be deceptive, not as a result of something is inaccurate however just because completely different poll classes — mail-in, early in-person and Election Day in-person — symbolize completely different segments of the citizens. Relying on which class is reported first in a given state, Democrats or Republicans might seem to have a lead that then erodes as the total outcomes are available in.