NPR Relies on AP to Determine Winners in 435 House Races

NPR will determine the winners of the 435 House races, 35 Senate contests, and 36 gubernatorial elections by relying on data provided by the Associated Press. This partnership ensures that the race calls made during the 2026 election are based on consistent and verified analysis. The process begins as voters cast ballots and counts are tallied across the country.

The Associated Press has used a standardized method to declare winners since 1848. Their team of analysts and decision editors examines incoming votes at the county level rather than just looking at total tallies. They track how many ballots have been counted and how many remain outstanding. This data includes the specific type of ballot, such as whether it was cast in person at a polling place or submitted by mail in advance.

Analysts assess the likelihood of a candidate winning by studying the demographics of areas where votes are still pending. They consider where the remaining ballots originate and the typical voting patterns of those communities. A race is called when the math shows that one candidate has a clear path to victory. This means the trailing candidates can no longer overtake the leader even if all remaining votes are counted.

The AP does not make projections or name apparent winners. They wait until they are certain that a candidate has won. This approach distinguishes their calls from predictions based on speculation. The organization publishes transparent reporting that explains the research and analysis behind each decision. This explanatory journalism is a key part of their election coverage.

NPR follows these same standards for its broadcast and digital audiences. Once the AP calls a race, NPR alerts listeners and viewers through special coverage and online stories. The organization also shares this information with its hundreds of member stations. They use AP data to populate real-time election results pages so the public can track the outcomes as they happen.

A candidate declaring victory or offering a concession speech does not trigger a race call for NPR or the AP. The news organizations require definitive evidence from the vote count. For example, in the 2000 election, the AP did not call the Florida race between George W. Bush and Al Gore because the margin was too close to determine a clear winner. They stood by their assessment that certainty had not been reached.

Election night marks the start of these declarations, but the process continues as counting slows. The calls will help determine the balance of power in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. NPR will provide ongoing coverage of how the 2026 election results shape the new government.