Networks calling a state for a candidate.. a question:

[tedoll78]

Will the networks hold-off on calling a state until all polls in that state are closed, or will they wait until all polling places in all lower 48 states are closed?

It could make a difference if the race is close. For example, if two of Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are all called for Kerry after their polls close, how would this affect turnout in western states? Would Democrats sit at home and figure that it's a done deal, or would they be energized for a final push at the polls?

Thoughts?

[Redneck Socialist]

1. Hello again

I don't think it will be that big a deal. It may suppress turnout (on both sides?) some, but if we win the three you mentioned we can afford to loose some of the western swing states. Even if say WA, OR and NM all go for bush (I don't think they will) we will still take CA and Kerry wins going away.

Please refresh my memory. Haven't the networks agreed not to announce results until the polls close in the west in the past? I seem to remember that but I'm not 100% sure.

on edit: Questions should have question marks.

[tritsofme]

2. No way the networks will pass up calling FL OH and PA

as soon they can.

It just ain't gonna happen.

[salonghorn70]

3. It Is My Understanding

That networks have agreed not to call an individual state where parts of the state are still voting due to different time zones. An example would be Florida where most of the state is in the Eastern time zone but part is in Central.

[Retrograde]

4. view from the West Coast

business as usual: all the focus is on the east and midwest, we're an afterthought.

It has gotten a bit better, though. in 1980 the networks called the entire election for Reagan at about 6 PST (IIRC correctly - I had just gotten home from work), well before the polls closed.

[featherman]

5. I believe an agreement with the FEC requires networks to hold off

on any "call" until 8:00 PM PDT. Early news will be available from various blogs that are not beholden to this agreement, however.

[AntiCoup2K4]

6. This has been a "controversial" subject since the 1980 election

...when Jimmy Carter conceded the election at 7:00 PM Pacific Time, an hour before the polls closed, after the networks had already called it for Reagan. It's no secret that the West Coast states - and Hawaii, which is even 2 hours earlier - go Democratic far more often than Republican, and that another hour of voting might have made the difference.

Even though I was 14 and couldn't vote, I was outraged at the media for calling it, and at Carter for accepting it as early as he did.

As we all know from the Florida debacle, 20 years later, very little has changed in how the mediawhores handle elections.