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Although many landslide winners and calculated projections may provide an overlying picture of the election results on Nov. 3, the significant increase of mail-in voting that stems from the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to delay the release of complete results in many key states for up to two weeks.
22 states and the District of Columbia allow postmarked ballots to arrive after Election Day, so even once the early and in-person ballots are counted, there will be a significant number of votes that will remain outstanding. According to the New York Times, only eight states expect to have 98 percent of the unofficial results reported by 12:00 p.m. on Nov. 4, the day after the election. The discrepancies in votes counted could end up being vastly important or relatively insignificant in terms of the projected winners, but New York and Alaska are not reporting any mail votes on election night and officials in Michigan and Pennsylvania, two states that could determine the outcome, have said that official results could take several days.
Here is what the New York Times is reporting about the timing of results in each state as of Oct. 28:
Alabama — New York Times Projection: Solid Republican
All unofficial results are expected on election night. Postmarked ballots cannot arrive after Election Day.
Alaska — New York Times Projection: Likely Republican
Only in-person early voting through Oct. 29 and from the precincts on Election Day will be reported on election night. Postmarked ballots can arrive by Nov. 13 and mail-in ballots will not be counted until around Nov. 10.
Arizona — New York Times Projection: Leaning Democrat
State officials are not choosing to predict the share of ballots that will be reported on election night. The state allows mail-in votes to be counted prior to the election, so first reports might be in favor of Vice President Joe Biden, but postmarked ballots cannot arrive after Election Day.
Arkansas — New York Times Projection: Solid Republican
Nearly all votes are expected to be reported by noon on Nov. 4. Postmarked ballots cannot arrive after Election Day.
California — New York Times Projection: Solid Democrat
There is no timing estimate and postmarked ballots can arrive as late as Nov. 20.
Colorado — New York Times Projection: Likely Democrat
75 to 80 percent of votes are expected to be counted on Nov. 4 and postmarked ballots cannot arrive after Election Day.
Connecticut — New York Times Projection: Solid Democrat
The majority of votes are expected to be counted by Saturday, Nov. 7. Postmarked ballots cannot arrive after Election Day.
Delaware — New York Times Projection: Solid Democrat
Officials expect that more than 99 percent of votes will be reported by noon on Nov. 4. Postmarked ballots cannot arrive after Election Day.
District of Columbia — New York Times Projection: Solid Democrat
Results will take time. Postmarked ballots can arrive by Nov. 13.
Florida — New York Times Projection: Tossup
All early voting and previously counted mail-in ballots should be reported by 8:30 p.m. Eastern on election night, which are likely to lean toward Vice President Biden. There is no estimate for when full results will be released but postmarked ballots cannot arrive late.
Georgia — New York Times Projection: Tossup
It could take a couple of days for all votes to be counted. Postmarked ballots cannot arrive after Nov. 3.
Hawaii — New York Times Projection: Solid Democrat
95 percent to 99 percent of votes are expected to be reported as of Wednesday and postmarked ballots are not allowed to arrive later.
Idaho — New York Times Projection: Solid Republican
Estimations believe that nearly all votes will be reported by noon on Nov. 4. Postmarked ballots cannot be counted after Election Day.
Illinois — New York Times Projection: Solid Democrat
Officials did not provide an estimate for the timing of results and postmarked ballots can arrive by Nov. 17.
Indiana — New York Times Projection: Likely Republican
Results may not be available for several days after the election, but postmarked ballots cannot arrive late.
Iowa — New York Times Projection: Tossup
Iowa is consistently efficient with their election results and plan to have them in a timely fashion. Postmarked ballots are allowed to arrive by Nov. 9.
Kansas — New York Times Projection: Likely Republican
There is no understanding of when results will be counted, but timing is expected to be fairly quick. Postmarked ballots can arrive up until Nov. 7.
Kentucky — New York Times Projection: Solid Republican
Counties have been instructed to report all in-person and mail-in ballots by midnight on election night, but postmarked ballots can arrive by Nov. 6.
Louisiana — New York Times Projection: Solid Republican
The state would not provide timing estimates, but postmarked ballots are due by Election Day.
Maine — New York Times Projection: Tossup
Officials expect an efficient timeline for results unless the majority of absentee voters wait until Election Day to return their ballots. Postmarked ballots that arrive after Election Day will not be counted.
Maryland — New York Times Projection: Solid Democrat
Officials chose not to provide an estimate for the number of votes that will be reported by Wednesday, and postmarked ballots may arrive by Nov. 13.
Massachusetts — New York Times Projection: Solid Democrat
97 percent of votes have been reported by noon on Wednesday during recent elections and officials to not expect any change. Postmarked ballots can arrive as late as Nov. 6.
Michigan — New York Times Projection: Lean Democrat
Full unofficial results could take until Nov. 6 but postmarked ballots cannot arrive past the day-of.
Minnesota — New York Times Projection: Lean Democrat
Close to 100 percent of votes cast by Election Day are expected to be reported by noon on Nov. 4, but postmarked ballots may arrive by Nov. 10.
Mississippi — New York Times Projection: Solid Republican
90 to 95 percent of votes should be reported by noon on Wednesday. Postmarked ballots can arrive no later than Nov. 10.
Missouri — New York Times Projection: Likely Republican
More than 99 percent of votes are expected to be reported by noon on Wednesday and postmarked ballots may not arrive late.
Montana — New York Times Projection: Likely Republican
Officials expect timely results and ballots may not arrive beyond Election Day.
Nebraska — New York Times Projection: Lean Democrat
No ballots may arrive beyond Election Day, but no details have been provided regarding timing of results.
Nevada — New York Times Projection: Lean Democrat
Officials do not know what percentage of votes will be reported by noon on Wednesday and postmarked ballots may arrive by Nov. 10.
New Hampshire — New York Times Projection: Lean Democrat
No details have been provided. Postmarked ballots may not arrive late.
New Jersey — New York Times Projection: Solid Democrat
There is no prediction for when a complete count will be available, and ballots may arrive by Nov. 10.
New Mexico — New York Times Projection: Solid Democrat
The majority, if not all of the winners in the state are expected to be evident by Wednesday. Postmarked ballots may not arrive late.
New York — New York Times Projection: Solid Democrat
Only unofficial results from in-person voting will be released on election night and ballots may arrive by Nov. 10.
North Carolina — New York Times Projection: Tossup
Estimations suggest that upward of 98 percent of ballots cast will be reported on election night. Postmarked ballots may arrive by Nov. 12.
North Dakota — New York Times Projection: Solid Republican
All ballots cast by election day are expected to be reported by noon on Nov. 4, but postmarked ballots may arrive by Nov. 9.
Ohio — New York Times Projection: Tossup
No predictions were given for the share of results that will be reported on Wednesday and postmarked ballots may arrive by Nov. 13.
Oklahoma — New York Times Projection: Solid Republican
Counties typically finish reporting results on election night and ballots must be cast by the time that the polls close on Nov. 3.
Oregon — New York Times Projection: Solid Democrat
About 90 percent of votes have been reported by noon on Wednesday in the past two elections and all ballots will be in on Election Day.
Pennsylvania — New York Times Projection: Lean Democrat
The overwhelming majority of votes are expected to be counted by Friday, Nov. 6, the last day for postmarked ballots to arrive.
Rhode Island — New York Times Projection: Solid Democrat
A first count will be released at 11:00 p.m. on Election Day, a second will come on Wednesday and a third will be released when all main-in votes are counted. All ballots must arrive by Nov. 3.
South Carolina — New York Times Projection: Likely Republican
The goal is to have 100 percent of results released on election night.
South Dakota — New York Times Projection: Solid Republican
The state’s largest county by population is expected to finish counting ballots late on Nov. 4. All ballots will be in on Election Day.
Tennessee — New York Times Projection: Solid Republican
Officials are hopeful that 99 percent of votes will be reported by noon on Wednesday, including all postmarked ballots.
Texas — New York Times Projection: Lean Republican
Postmarked ballots may arrive by Nov. 4 and there is no clear indication of when results will be reported.
Utah — New York Times Projection: Likely Republican
About 30 percent of votes were not reported by noon on Wednesday in the last two elections. Postmarked ballots may arrive by Nov. 17, depending on the county.
Vermont — New York Times Projection: Solid Democrat
Unofficial results are expected by midnight on Election Day, including all ballots.
Virginia — New York Times Projection: Likely Democrat
Officials do not have an expectation for what share of results will be reported by Wednesday. Postmarked ballots can arrive by Nov. 6.
Washington — New York Times Projection: Solid Democrat
Less than 50 percent of votes are expected on election night and postmarked ballots may arrive as late as Nov. 23.
West Virginia — New York Time Projection: Solid Republican
Postmarked ballots can arrive up until Nov. 10 and the timing of results will depend on the number of absentee ballots.
Wisconsin — New York Times Projection: Lean Democrat
Governor Tony Evers expects to know results no later than Wednesday. All ballots will be in on Election Day.
Wyoming — New York Times Projection: Solid Republican
All ballots will be in and 99 percent are expected to be counted and reported by noon on Nov. 4.