Yanks out there...so, most of you

[fightingthecage]

How do y'all get the votes counted so fast? The coverage here is calling the states pretty much immediately the polls close. Is it all computerised and adds up automatically? Just a query.

And just FYI, they're already saying that Obama has it won now that he's got Pennsylvania. Yay!

Comments

[walksbyherself]

*puts on knowledge hat* Lemme 'splain.

The votes are not yet entirely counted. In my state, for example, only about 24% of the voting precincts have reported. When they call the states at this point, it's based on projections and exit polls. I personally am holding off on watching the coverage until more of the results are in for this reason.

*takes off hat*

Hiiiiiiiiiiii!

[fightingthecage.livejournal.com]

I see! Well, I will hold off celebrating then (COME ON OBAMA!) but still remain cautiously optimistic.

HIIIII! How are you? I'm so annoyed the election is tonight because I really want to stay up and watch but I have an important exam in the morning and need to go to sleep. *grumps*

[fogg8.livejournal.com]

*pokes*

Heh, I went to bed, then got up again to watch the beeb. I'm so happy...and I'm not even sure why?!

Whoever wins, this is history. A black president, or a female V-P.

[fightingthecage.livejournal.com]

I really really need to go to bed...but damnit, I find this stuff so addictive. And I am v. happy also because this really is history in the making.

But Obama better win because Palin is a psycho.

[edgesknitcap.livejournal.com]

Word up.

[fightingthecage.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Well, lets hope they're right then, eh?

[minkhollow]

There's a lot of machine-based voting, but... some people don't trust the machines. Some of them have a habit of switching people's votes around.
There was also a lot of early voting, this time around, with some estimates that a third of the country voted before today (though they weren't officially counted before tonight).
I don't know how much that factors into the counting, though, and nothing's final till someone has 270 or more electoral votes.

[agoodshinkickin.livejournal.com]

In my ward and precinct the counting machine is tallied the moment the last vote is cast. Then those results are read aloud. Usually there's someone there from the Mayor's office to record those numbers. They then call the powers that be.