question: I know that the media are not supposed to call the election

[ladywnch]

till all the polls in the country have closed but can they start calling various states after their polls close. Or maybe a better way to ask is: At what time can the media start calling things?

[WeDidIt]

1. They always call states after the individual polls close

and they can call the race before all polls close.

In fact, they normally do that. Alaska and HAwaii close pretty late.

This year, it's entirely possible the race will be called before the West Coast polls close.

[Rincewind]

2. Whenever they want to.

They can call it whenever they decide to call it. Usually, the big networks wait until their computer models indicate a definite win one way or the other, but if the election isn't going the way the want, they can wait until they can't deny it.

[yardwork]

3. If Obama wins Virginia, the networks will call the election. They don't follow rules.

Every station wants to be the first to call the victor.

[kestrel91316]

4. No rules. There is nothing to stop them from calling the election FOR MCCAIN

late tomorrow afternoon in hopes of discouraging folks in the western half of the country from voting (for Obama).

Ignore all projections and just GO VOTE.

[rvablue]

5. OP....everyone answering your question is wrong

all of the major networks have an agreement that they do stick to that they will not "CALL" the election for anyone before 9pm West Coast time.

However, starting when polls close in any particular state, they will begin to "PROJECT WINNERS" in that given state based on exit polls and rolling returns.

[ladywnch]

6. thanks. I knew they had quit calling the entire election early after some

presidential election years ago because it ended up adversely affecting voter turnout in Western States. I just couldn't remember if they couldn't 'project winners' in states as those polls closed or if they had to wait on those too.

Thanks for the info.

[Lumpsum]

7. It depends.

If PA and FL poll results get in early, and Obama wins them, then most of the media will probably call the election for Obama.