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How the ABC reports US election results

The USA has a decentralised election system, with thousands of local county governments tabulating and reporting results. 

This is very different to Australia’s independent electoral commission.

ABC News relies on the Associated Press (AP) for all vote count data and race calls. 

As a general rule, the ABC does not project winners in foreign elections.

AP has been compiling and tabulating election results since 1848. 

This election, AP will have a network of about 4,000 reporters across the country collecting results data, plus nearly 1,000 reporters in its vote entry centre.

The mass decentralisation in elections administration means calling the winners in US races requires significant local expertise in counting procedures, voting history, and exit polling.

The ABC is using calls from AP as it has a track record of accuracy and caution in calling elections.

You can read more information about how the Associated Press collates result data and makes race calls here.