Questions about calling states on election night

[Hawaii Hiker]

When your're watching coverage on election night, say it's MSNBC, David Gregory comes on & says "NBC has just learned that Obama has been declared the winner in New York" (or whatever state it is)...

How is that process of calling a state done?....I would think that each state doesn't "officially" certify the results for couple weeks or so....Does some state election bureau official call the news outlets & say to effect "we feel that Obama has won (insert state here) & he can be declared the winner", etc...Or does the media call states on exit polls, etc..

Just wondered how the process of declaring a winner of a state works..

Thanks

[liberalpragmatist]

1. Based on exit polls, pre-election polls and actual votes

Nowadays they're pretty cautious and usually wait at least a half hour before calling states that aren't dead certain. The idea is to wait for some actual results to confirm the exit polls.

But ultimately, it's each individual network's call.

[Top Cat]

2. Regardless the GOP will demand a recount........

[msongs]

3. "calling" states should be outlawed as undemocratic -

results should be based on actual vote counts. it prejudices voters in all areas where polls are not yet closed and meddles in election outcomes. Calling states is nothing more than media oneupsmanship where media egos are more important than peoples' rights to vote.

Msongs
www.msongs.com/obama2008.com