Wed Nov 06 04:50:00 UTC 2024: ## AP Declares Winners in Some Races as Polls Close on Election Day
**Washington, D.C.** – The Associated Press declared winners in several races on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5th, 2024, as soon as polls closed in certain states. This included landslide victories and uncontested races, where only one candidate appeared on the ballot.
The AP has a long-standing practice of calling uncontested races and overwhelming victories at poll closing time. This year, the AP declared Vice President Kamala Harris the winner in California and Washington, and former President Donald Trump the winner in Idaho, all at 11 p.m. ET when polls closed in those states.
The AP also declared winners in several U.S. Senate and governor races as polls closed in earlier states.
The AP’s decision to declare winners before all votes are counted is based on a rigorous analysis of multiple factors, including:
* **AP VoteCast:** A comprehensive survey of both voters and non-voters that helps determine who voted, how they voted, and why.
* **Voting History:** Data from recent elections and voter registration statistics.
* **Pre-Election Day Polling:** Results from polls conducted before Election Day.
The AP will only declare a winner in a competitive race once enough votes are counted to make the outcome clear.
The AP’s declaration of winners in landslide races and uncontested contests is a well-established practice that aims to provide timely and accurate election results. This is especially important for news outlets around the world who rely on the AP for accurate information about U.S. elections.
This information is provided to inform the public about the process and methodology used by the Associated Press in declaring winners in U.S. elections.
First Piper 