As polls close, reporters collect unofficial results from across the country and add them to their news outlets’ vote reporting systems. The information in these systems informs each news outlet’s prediction of a winner (often called a “call”) for the race, but nothing is official until all votes have been counted and certified by election officials, which can take days or weeks after Election Day. During this time, election workers continue to work to ensure every ballot is securely and accurately counted.
Despite a relentless attack from the Trump administration on voting and democracy, Americans have held free, fair elections this year and in 2022 and 2024. However, the threat of election meddling has become more sophisticated and global. Increasingly, governments across the world have been under pressure to discredit their electoral processes and suppress voter turnout.
Vote security has never been more important for our democracy. As voters look to this week’s midterms and 2024 presidential elections for signs of a healthy democracy, it is more important than ever that people trust credible sources for their election information. While some sources, such as TikTok and Facebook, may provide entertaining headlines or provocative content, research shows that fact-checking and balanced news can reduce stress and anxiety about election uncertainty. We encourage voters to check in with trusted, nonpartisan news organizations such as AP and Reuters, and to avoid sources that emphasize sensational or dramatic headlines, which can contribute to feelings of stress and instability.