The way votes get counted in major US states might create some head-scratching moments tonight. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump supporters should be ready for some wild number swings in the coming hours (and maybe days)
In states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin election workers cant start counting mail-in votes until nov-5th morning: This means the first numbers might look very different from final results. Pennsylvaniaʼs vote-counting could take several days while Wisconsin might drop big chunks of votes around 3am tomorrow
Michigan changed its rules since last time - now allowing pre-counting of mail ballots starting oct-28th; which should make things faster But Georgia expects most people (about 65-70 percent) already voted early at poll locations
- Arizona has lots of mail-in voters
- Nevada accepts late mail votes until nov-9th
- North Carolina needs up to 10 days for all votes
- Pennsylvania waits until morning to count mail votes
In places like Arizona almost 90% of people vote early or by mail. The states workers can count these votes before but cant tell anyone the numbers until after polls close. Some states show Republican leads first then shift Democrat as mail votes get counted - others work the opposite way
The counting takes longer in big cities where more Democrats live. Its just math: more people equals more time to count (and these areas tend to vote differently than rural spots) Each state follows its own special rules for handling votes which makes the whole process even more complex