Why Some Midterm Results Will Take Days to Know

Voters may have to wait days after Election Day to learn who won some of this year's midterm races.

No state finishes counting ballots on election night, even when some high-profile races are projected early. Winners announced that night are not based on final totals. They are race calls made by news organizations using early returns and demographic information. NPR

NPR relies on The Associated Press for its race calls. Ahead of the 2026 midterms, the AP collects votes from more than 5,000 reporting units across the country. Associated Press

The longest waits typically come from the same combination: a competitive race in a place that counts slowly. All 435 U.S. House districts are up for election in the 2026 midterms. AP

California fits both parts of that pattern. Its vote count has been among the slowest in the nation. The state also has competitive congressional districts that help determine the balance of power in the U.S. House. NPR

Mail-in voting is a major reason counting takes time in California. State mail-in voting laws extend the work of processing and tallying ballots. NPR

In close contests, mail-in ballots and security measures add to delays. CBS News Election workers must also verify voter signatures, another step that slows the count. BBC