Explaining the elections

The Capitol is seen in Washington, Nov. 11, 2022. Republicans have won control of the U.S. House. A call by The Associated Press on Wednesday, Nov. 16, for Republican Mike Garcia in California’s 27th District secured the party the 218 seats needed for the majority.(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Why AP has called control of the US House for Republicans

Republicans have won control of the U.S. House. A call by The Associated Press on Wednesday for Republican Mike Garcia in California’s 27th District secured the party the 218 seats needed for the majority.
 
With the U.S Capitol in the background, people walk down steps on Election Day in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

Why the AP hasn’t called control of the House yet

 
U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., speaks during a campaign stop at the Nevada State AFL-CIO offices in Henderson, Nev., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022. Masto is running against Republican candidate Adam Laxalt. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

Why AP called Nevada Senate race for Catherine Cortez Masto

 
An early morning pedestrian is silhouetted against sunrise as he walks through the U.S. Flags on the National Mall and past the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, one day before the midterm election will determine the control of the U.S. Congress. (AP Photo/J. David Ake)

Why the AP called control of the US Senate for the Democrats

 
This combination of photos shows, Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Aug. 3, 2021, left, and Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker speaking in Perry, Ga., Sept. 25, 2021. (AP Photo)

How Georgia’s Senate runoff between Walker and Warnock works

 

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Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., addresses supporters at an election night event in Tucson, Ariz., Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.(AP Photo/Alberto Mariani)

Why the AP called the Arizona Senate race for Mark Kelly

Blake Masters wasn’t posting the numbers of votes he needed in Election Day ballots as they were counted and released days later by officials in Arizona’s biggest county.
 
An election worker tabulates ballots inside the Maricopa County Recorders Office, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Why Arizona election results are taking days

Polls closed three days ago in Arizona, but counting votes for the 2022 midterm elections continued into the weekend.
 

Why AP called Nevada governor for Joe Lombardo

Republican Joe Lombardo outpaced Nevada Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak in the newly counted votes coming in from the state’s biggest counties.
 
Election workers process ballots at the Clark County Election Department, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Why Nevada election results are taking days

Vote counting in Nevada’s closely watched races for Senate looked to spill into the weekend, with control of Congress still to be determined.
 
Hundreds of University of Michigan students waited in line for hours to register to vote at the Ann Arbor city clerk's satellite office at the university's Museum of Art on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. (Ryan Stanton/Ann Arbor News via AP)

FACT FOCUS: Did late night Michigan voting lines show fraud?

Michigan saw a record turnout for a midterm election, with control of the governor’s office and controversial referendums on abortion and voting rights in the balance.
 
Tina Kotek, Oregon's Democratic gubernatorial candidate, greets supporters at the Democratic Party of Oregon's election party, Tuesday night. Nov. 8, 2022, in Portland, Ore. (Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian via AP)

Why AP called the Oregon governor race for Tina Kotek

WASHINGTON (AP) — There were no signs that Republican Christina Drazan was improving on her vote totals over recent days that would have enabled her to overtake Democrat Tina Kotek in the Oregon governor’s race.
 

Why it’s Dem vs. Dem in some US House races in California

WASHINGTON (AP) — The winners in more than a dozen races for U.S. House in California haven’t been determined, but one thing is certain: Democrats will control at least two of those seats.
 
An election worker boxes tabulated ballots inside the Maricopa County Recorders Office, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Why some races in Arizona still haven’t been called

Hundreds of thousands of votes are still being tallied in Arizona, where contested races including Senate and gubernatorial contests remained undeclared.
 
Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate from Pennsylvania, takes the stage at an election night party in Pittsburgh, early Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Why AP called Pennsylvania Senate race for John Fetterman

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pennsylvania Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s performance with in-person and absentee votes in Philadelphia and in suburban Delaware County proved too much for Republican Dr.
 
United States Sen. Lisa Murkowski, right, a Republican seeking reelection in Alaska, hugs her nephew, Luke Murkowski who flew in from Nome, Alaska, to surprise her at a sign-waving event on a busy Anchorage, Alaska, corner on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. Lisa Murkowski faces Republican Kelly Tshibaka and Democrat Pat Chesbro in the general election. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Why AP called Alaska’s Senate race for Republicans

WASHINGTON (AP) — Exactly who’ll win Alaska’s U.S. Senate contest isn’t clear, but it will be a Republican.
 
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers makes his acceptance speech Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, in Madison, Wis., after beating businessman Tim Michels in Tuesday's governorship election. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

Why AP called Wisconsin governor race for Tony Evers

WASHINGTON (AP) — WHY AP CALLED WISCONSIN FOR TONY EVERS

Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers showed strength over Republican challenger Tim Michels in even the conservative Milwaukee suburbs.
 
FILE - Brochures are displayed at the Alaska Division of Elections office on Jan. 21, 2022 in Anchorage, Alaska, detailing changes to elections this year. Alaska’s races will unfold in the overhauled ranked-choice system. The system had its inaugural election this summer when Democrat Mary Peltola made history by becoming the first Alaska Native to serve in the House and the first woman to win Alaska's sole congressional seat. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

EXPLAINER: How ranked choice voting works in Alaska

Most Americans are used to casting their ballot for a single person for each office. But Alaska’s races unfold in the state’s ranked choice system.
 
Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during Election Night, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Why AP called Michigan governor’s race for Gretchen Whitmer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ran up big margins against Republican Tudor Dixon in Wayne County, anchored by Detroit, and got a majority of votes in Grand Rapids.
 
Election workers sort early ballots for signature verification prior to tabulation inside the Maricopa County Recorders Office, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

EXPLAINER: Why did Arizona have voting slowdowns?

WASHINGTON (AP) — There were some voting slowdowns Tuesday in Arizona, where races for governor and Senate are among the most closely watched contests of this year’s midterm elections.
 
Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Gov. Brian Kemp, delivers his acceptance speech at his election night party after defeating Stacey Abrams Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Akili-Casundria Ramsess)

Why AP called Georgia governor race for Brian Kemp

WASHINGTON (AP) — WHY AP CALLED GEORGIA FOR BRIAN KEMP

Republican incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp racked up enough of a lead over Democrat Stacey Abrams that she could not catch up given the number of outstanding votes in Democratic strongholds.
 
Pennsylvania Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro, the state's attorney general, attends an election night event, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Oaks, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Why AP called Pennsylvania governor race for Josh Shapiro

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Doug Mastriano could not catch up to Democrat Josh Shapiro’s lead in the Pennsylvania governor’s race.
 
Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., speaks during an election night campaign event Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Manchester, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Why AP called New Hampshire Senate for Maggie Hassan

WASHINGTON (AP) — WHY AP CALLED NEW HAMPSHIRE FOR MAGGIE HASSAN

Democratic incumbent Sen. Maggie Hassan did better than she did in her 2016 race in New Hampshire.
 
Former Vice President Mike Pence, center, joins with North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley, left, and U.S. Senate candidate Ted Budd for a conservation at the state GOP headquarters in Raleigh, N.C., on Wednesday. Nov. 2, 2022. Pence was in North Carolina to support Budd’s campaign. (AP Photo/Gary D. Robertson)

Why AP called North Carolina Senate race for Ted Budd

WASHINGTON (AP) — WHY AP CALLED NORTH CAROLINA FOR TED BUDD

Republican U.S. Rep. Ted Budd lagged in early North Carolina vote counts but caught up to Democrat Cheri Beasley when totals from Election Day itself were tallied.
 
Ohio Senate candidate JD Vance meets with supporters after casting his ballot at a polling location in Cincinnati, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Why AP called Ohio Senate for JD Vance

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican JD Vance won 80 of Ohio’s 88 counties and performed similarly to former President Donald Trump two years ago in the state.
 
Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks at a rally Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 at Michael's Charcoal Grill in Midland, Texas. (Michael Bauer/Odessa American via AP)

Why AP called Texas governor race for Greg Abbott

WASHINGTON (AP) — WHY AP CALLED TEXAS FOR GREG ABBOTT

Gov. Greg Abbott had a wide lead in the same 13 Texas counties that he won in 2018 — and that Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke also won in a Senate race that year.
 
Democratic U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet speaks during a debate with Republican challenger Joe O'Dea, Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, on the campus of Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Why AP called Colorado Senate race for Michael Bennet

WASHINGTON (AP) — WHY AP CALLED COLORADO FOR MICHAEL BENNET

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet was drawing in higher numbers of votes in many areas than he did during his 2016 campaign — by a margin of as many as 10 percentage points.
 
FILE - "I Voted" stickers are displayed at a polling place in Cheyenne, Wyo. on Aug. 16, 2022. The instant polls close across the country when Tuesday’s Nov. 8, 2022, midterm election ends the Associated Press could declare winners in some races. On election night, the The Associated Press counts the nation’s votes, tallying millions of ballots and determining which candidates have won. It’s been done like that since 1848, when the AP declared the election of Zachary Taylor as president. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert, File)

EXPLAINER: How can the AP call races right as polls close?

The Associated Press could declare winners in some races in this year’s midterm elections at the moment polls close Tuesday.
 
Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a campaign rally, Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, in Hialeah, Fla.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Why AP called the Florida governor’s race for Ron DeSantis

WASHINGTON (AP) — WHY AP CALLED FLORIDA FOR RON DESANTIS

Gov. Ron DeSantis outperformed former Gov. Charlie Crist in a number of areas where Florida Democrats have typically outperformed Republicans.
 
A voting sign points voters in the right direction to drop off ballots in Phoenix, Monday, Nov. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

EXPLAINER: Why are secretary of state races higher profile?

In the 38 states that elect them, secretaries of state often don’t see much campaign fanfare. But this year, there’s a lot of buzz about the 27 races this year for secretary of state, which usually serves as a state’s chief elections officer.
 
FILE - Voters cast their ballots at a polling station in Derry, N.H., on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Vocabulary of voting: A glossary guide to the 2022 midterms

WASHINGTON (AP) — What’s behind some of the notable nomenclature facing voters trying to decipher the who/what/why/when/where of casting their ballots this year?
 
FILE - People wait in line to vote at a polling place on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2020, in Las Vegas. Ballots will be counted after the poll close Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, despite the efforts of candidates loyal to former President Donald Trump to spread doubt about the outcome of the 2020 election and these 2022 midterms. The Associated Press collects all the vote data and declares the winners. It also outlines how the voting process work in a series of explanatory stories you can explore here. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

Explaining the 2022 midterms: Find your information here

An election is a complex thing — and even more so when it’s multiplied by 50 states, as the U.S. voting system is. There’s a lot to explain.
 
FILE - Utah County election division provisional ballot envelopes are viewed during a tour of Utah County's elections equipment and review processes for administering secure elections April 19, 2022, in Provo, Utah. Provisional ballots are issued to voters at a polling location when there are eligibility questions that prevent them from casting a regular ballot on Election Day. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Why was I given a provisional ballot?

Why was I given a provisional ballot?

Provisional ballots are issued to voters at a polling location when there are eligibility questions that prevent them from casting a regular ballot on Election Day.
 
Alma Whalen, who oversees election law investigations, campaign finance disclosures and compliance for Oregon's elections division, holds an Oregon voters' pamphlet during an interview on Oct. 17, 2022, in Salem, Ore. As complaints about elections, many of them unfounded, pile up around the country, investigators tasked with dealing with them find themselves on the front line of defending the integrity of elections. (AP Photo/Andrew Selsky)

Eroding trust in US elections taxes state investigators

As complaints about elections pile up around the country, investigators tasked with dealing with them find themselves on the front line of defending the integrity of elections.
 
This image released by CBS shows Norah O'Donnell, host of the new "CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell." Between election deniers and threats to voting rights, news organizations have emphasized the beat. That will continue next Tuesday, with coverage plans for the midterm elections rounding into shape. CBS News will have its first-ever “Democracy Desk” to look at those issues and how law enforcement is dealing with threats. (Michele Crowe/CBS via AP)

Media preps for 2022 election with focus on democracy issues

Democracy issues were once an afterthought in election night coverage, with an occasional report on broken voting machines in a polling place or two.
 
FILE - Employees test voting equipment at the Miami-Dade County Elections Department, Oct. 19, 2022, in Miami, in advance of the 2022 midterm elections on November 8. Top U.S. election security officials say protecting the nation’s voting systems has become increasingly more challenging. That’s due mostly to the embrace by millions of Americans of unfounded conspiracy theories and false claims about widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential race. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

EXPLAINER: Threats to US election security grow more complex

Top U.S. election security officials say current threats to the nation’s voting systems are more complex than ever.
 
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