How to Watch Election Night Like a Pro

[brooklynite]

Third Way

The most important thing we can tell you is to be patient and to not follow the overall Electoral College vote count until 11:00pm ET. That is when the majority of the Pacific Coast states close including California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington, which will give Biden a combined 78 electoral votes.

For instance, in 2012, Barack Obama ultimately defeated Romney by over 100 electoral votes — 332 to 206, to be exact. But Romney led the electoral count from 7:00pm ET until 9:30pm ET, an entire two-and-a-half hours.

Because of that, the first five hours of election night coverage are better spent watching movement in swing states than watching the overall scoreboard.

It is also very unlikely that anyone is declared the winner before 11:00pm ET. The last person to win before that hour was Bill Clinton in 1996 who was declared the winner at 9:00pm ET as polls closed in states like New York. Barack Obama was declared the winner at exactly 11:00pm ET in 2008. Other recent contests like 2016, 2012, and 2004 were decided late in the night either on election day or the AM hours of the next day. Of course, we all know what happened in 2000.

[634-5789]

1. Here's how do it.

Go to bed around 7:30. Wake up around 4 AM, and turn on the TV. Gives me the whole day to PARTY!!

[Thekaspervote]

2. I have a similar plan. Not going to stress myself out with dotard acting like a fool, pundits

That want to act as though the idiot still has a chance at winning...no thanks

[hlthe2b]

3. I'd never get to sleep. Fortunately MT is two hours behind ET so I may well do my 4 mile workout

for Wednesday on the treadmill at midnight while watching updates. Good for stress relief as well.

[JDC]

5. That's a good idea. On the treadmill.

[brooklynite]

4. You hang out here and you're not going to watch the live returns?

wimp.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

6. How I will watch....