By — Deema Zein Deema Zein By — Bryan Gallion Bryan Gallion Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-how-does-the-associated-press-call-2026-midterm-election-winners-4-things-to-know Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: How does The Associated Press call 2026 midterm election winners? 4 things to know Politics Oct 29, 2026 6:55 PM EDT The Associated Press has tracked voting in U.S. elections for 178 years, and it's gearing up to make thousands more race calls in midterm contests this Election Day. Watch the video in the player above. Along with gathering ballot returns to declare winners, for the first time in a major general election the AP is now partnering with broadcast news networks to survey the electorate for the new Voter Poll. This questionnaire is an updated way to analyze voter demographics and motivations, and it will offer results in every state where there's a statewide election. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check…
WATCH: How does The Associated Press call 2026 midterm election winners? 4 things to know
In short
The news agency plans to evaluate vote totals using a specialized Decision Team consisting of journalists, data analysts, and political scientists. Data gathered from election offices and precincts will be cross-checked against official county and state feeds to maintain reporting accuracy. Additionally, a combined polling initiative with major broadcast networks will survey approximately 100,000 total voters to assess electorate motivations and demographics.
Key points
- Races are only projected when trailing candidates have no viable mathematical path remain…: Races are only projected when trailing candidates have no viable mathematical path remaining to achieve victory.
- Close election outcomes may take multiple days to declare rather than concluding entirely…: Close election outcomes may take multiple days to declare rather than concluding entirely on election night.
- Major broadcast networks have aligned with the agency for the first time to conduct natio…: Major broadcast networks have aligned with the agency for the first time to conduct nationwide voter demographic research.