As of October 28, 2026, nearly 40 million votes have been cast in pivotal elections across the United States. These elections will decide the control of Congress, as well as influence local positions such as governors, mayors, and city council members. The vote counting process is crucial in determining these results.
For years, PBS News has collaborated with the Associated Press (AP) to monitor election results. This partnership will continue in the upcoming election cycle. Understanding how the AP manages vote counting can provide insights into the reliability and efficiency of this process.
Deema Zein, a digital anchor and correspondent for PBS News, offers a detailed examination of AP’s methodologies. Alongside Matt Loffman, the Deputy Senior Politics Producer at PBS NewsHour, Zein sheds light on the intricacies involved in ensuring every vote is accurately counted and reported.
The Associated Press uses a combination of technology and human oversight to track and verify election outcomes. This meticulous approach helps maintain transparency and trust in the electoral process. As millions of votes are counted, the collaboration between PBS News and the AP exemplifies a commitment to delivering accurate election coverage.