What time will you know?

[mr blur]

I've no previous experience of US elections (at least not in this depth). Can someone tell me what time the result might be known?

[wryter2000]

1. It depends

Last time it was December.

If it's a blow-out, we'll know right after the polls on the West Coast close, I imagine. About 10:00 pm Eastern, I think. Please, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[awgoodkitty]

2. West Coast polls close at 8:00 pm PDT

Was there a law passed saying results can't be released until all polls closed? I remember there being a brouhaha a little while back.

Anyone know?

[NMDemDist2]

3. here is a helpful article of what to look for as the election unfolds

http://contrapositive.blogspot.com/2004/10/election-night-cheat-sheet-as-promised.html

[DuctapeFatwa]

4. Walter Cronkite suggests spring, but he admits he is basing his analysis

only on legal actions that have already been filed, that number is certain to multiply, probably by a hundredfold, by the time the public participation exhibition phase ends on Tuesday evening.

And the days following Tuesday will see the filing of even more new cases.

[Hans Delbrook]

5. Based on (the first) JFK victory

Which I don't remember (but have heard plenty about) and was razor close like this one is going to be, I would guess it's going to be the wee hours of the morning. I'd guesstimate that 4 or 5 AM Kerry will be called the winner. As to when the legal wrangling will be over - that's an entirely different story.

[adapa]

6. shortly after the polls close in that state.

The media gets an indication from exit polls at 3pm. Those are not passed on to the public. But some have discerned a wink and a nod to a candidate.
If there's a clear winner they use to announce it shortly after the polls close in that state, but FL changed all that. By law it is not announced before the polls close. I'm thinking we'll have an indication of where the process is heading by 8:30pm.

Great link AZDem, thanks.

[newyawker99]

7. Hi adapa!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: