Past Election Night: What Time Were They Called?
Remember that nail-biting election night? You know, the one where you were glued to the TV, refreshing your browser every five seconds, and desperately needing a caffeine IV drip? We've all been there! But did you ever wonder what time the winners were actually called?
Let's take a trip down memory lane and see when those coveted "projected winner" banners popped up on our screens.
Recent Election Night Calls:
2020 Presidential Election: It was a long night, folks. The first state to be called was Vermont at 7:51 PM EST for Biden, but the big one, Pennsylvania, didn't fall until 11:24 PM EST, giving Biden the victory and ending the night.
2016 Presidential Election: The first state called was Indiana at 7:44 PM EST for Trump. But the big one, Pennsylvania, again, wasn't declared until 12:56 AM EST, solidifying Trump's win.
2018 Midterm Election: While not a Presidential election, this one had its fair share of nail-biters. Florida was the biggest, and it wasn't called until 12:07 AM EST for DeSantis.
2014 Midterm Election: This one was a little more straightforward. Missouri was the first state called at 7:17 PM CST for the GOP candidate. The big one, North Carolina, was called at 11:52 PM EST for the GOP candidate.
2012 Presidential Election: Remember that oh-so-close race? Ohio was the battleground state everyone was watching, and it was called for Obama at 11:20 PM EST, effectively deciding the election.
2010 Midterm Election: The first state called was Vermont at 6:59 PM EST for the Democratic candidate. But the big one, Delaware, wasn't called until 11:30 PM EST for the Democratic candidate.
Why Does it Matter?
Knowing the times these races were called gives us some insight into the overall trends of that election. It shows how certain states (like Pennsylvania and Florida) tend to be key battlegrounds, and how the outcome of these races can take a long time to solidify.
And let's be honest, sometimes it's just plain fascinating to remember the suspense of election night and the joy (or disappointment) that came with the final calls.
Keep in Mind:
- These times are based on when the major news networks called the races, which may differ slightly from official results.
- The timing of election night calls can vary greatly depending on the state and the race. Some states are projected early, while others can take hours, or even days, to finalize the count.
So there you have it! A quick look back at some of the key election night calls from recent history. Now you can impress your friends with your knowledge of past election night drama.