Letter to Reporters and News Anchors Offering Suggested Context for Election Projections
Dear Reporters:
We, the undersigned, write to ask for your help in ensuring that American voters understand the election process, including the reality that results are not final on election night. In particularly close elections, early projections do not always align with the final, verified election results following post-election canvassing, certification, or, in some cases, action from the courts.
We know you are aware of these details. However, many voters do not understand that election results are not a settled matter until weeks after the polls close. Clarity and education about the election process will reduce the likelihood of political unrest and increase confidence in the outcomes. We are not asking that you not make informed projections, only that they be made with appropriate context.
We respectfully ask that you consider using statements during election night coverage such as the examples below:
Deadlines and certification timelines vary across the nation. For several states, those timelines are posted at ElectionOvertime.org, a website providing information and resources to election reporters. We also encourage election night programs to include brief segments that explain the post-election verification and certification phases in the key swing states.
Thank you for the critical work you do for the voters and candidates of our nation. We appreciate your consideration of our suggestions.
Sincerely,
Organizations
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
The Carter Center
Election Reformers Network
Issue One
Campaign Legal Center
RepresentUS
The Chamberlain Network
League of Women Voters of the United States
New Mexico Local News Fund
CLYDE
Verified Voting
Clean Elections Minnesota
U.S. Vote Foundation
A More Perfect Union: The Jewish Partnership for Democracy
National Vote at Home Institute
Common Cause
USC Center for Inclusive Democracy
Former Secretaries of State
Kathy Boockvar, Former Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (D) (2019-2021)
Trey Grayson, Former Secretary of State of Kentucky (R) (2004 – 2011)
Kim Wyman, Former Washington Secretary of State (R) (2013 - 2021)
Individuals
Hugo Balta, Publisher, Latino News Network
Pam Fessler, Former elections editor and correspondent at NPR News
Mindy Finn, Founder & CEO, Citizen Data
David Haynes, Former editorial board editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Don Henninger, Former managing editor, Arizona Republic
David Nevins, Publisher, The Fulcrum
If you or your organization are interested in joining the group of signers of this letter, please contact ERN Communications Director Kim Nickols at [email protected].
We, the undersigned, write to ask for your help in ensuring that American voters understand the election process, including the reality that results are not final on election night. In particularly close elections, early projections do not always align with the final, verified election results following post-election canvassing, certification, or, in some cases, action from the courts.
We know you are aware of these details. However, many voters do not understand that election results are not a settled matter until weeks after the polls close. Clarity and education about the election process will reduce the likelihood of political unrest and increase confidence in the outcomes. We are not asking that you not make informed projections, only that they be made with appropriate context.
We respectfully ask that you consider using statements during election night coverage such as the examples below:
- "[OUTLET] projects that [CANDIDATE] will win [STATE]. This is just a projection. The actual results will be final when all votes are counted, and officials verify and certify the results."
- Variation: … "The actual results will be final when all votes are counted, officials verify and certify the outcome, and any challenges are resolved in court. That process can take weeks to complete."
- "Counting the votes takes time, and election results are not final until officials verify and certify the results. We expect [STATE] to certify its official results by [DATE]."
Deadlines and certification timelines vary across the nation. For several states, those timelines are posted at ElectionOvertime.org, a website providing information and resources to election reporters. We also encourage election night programs to include brief segments that explain the post-election verification and certification phases in the key swing states.
Thank you for the critical work you do for the voters and candidates of our nation. We appreciate your consideration of our suggestions.
Sincerely,
Organizations
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
The Carter Center
Election Reformers Network
Issue One
Campaign Legal Center
RepresentUS
The Chamberlain Network
League of Women Voters of the United States
New Mexico Local News Fund
CLYDE
Verified Voting
Clean Elections Minnesota
U.S. Vote Foundation
A More Perfect Union: The Jewish Partnership for Democracy
National Vote at Home Institute
Common Cause
USC Center for Inclusive Democracy
Former Secretaries of State
Kathy Boockvar, Former Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (D) (2019-2021)
Trey Grayson, Former Secretary of State of Kentucky (R) (2004 – 2011)
Kim Wyman, Former Washington Secretary of State (R) (2013 - 2021)
Individuals
Hugo Balta, Publisher, Latino News Network
Pam Fessler, Former elections editor and correspondent at NPR News
Mindy Finn, Founder & CEO, Citizen Data
David Haynes, Former editorial board editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Don Henninger, Former managing editor, Arizona Republic
David Nevins, Publisher, The Fulcrum
If you or your organization are interested in joining the group of signers of this letter, please contact ERN Communications Director Kim Nickols at [email protected].