American voters will not immediately know the results of today’s midterm elections, with some of the most consequential races not expected to be called for days — perhaps even weeks. The fate of both the House and Senate for the next two years will be decided after the polls close today. But, a number of factors could affect how long until voters and candidates know the results of their races, especially for those in key battleground states set to determine which party will gain control of Congress. Delayed results do not indicate that the process is flawed or fraudulent despite some candidates suggesting otherwise. Rather, it can take several hours or even days to know the results of races because elections in the United States are decentralized and rules around tabulating votes vary from state to state. The midterm elections will determine whether Democrats lose control of Congress, and with it the ability to advance President Joe Biden’s agenda in the next two years. The party that controls the White House typically loses seats in midterm elections.
