AP and NPR to Determine 2026 Election Outcomes

The Associated Press will determine the winners of the 435 U.S. House races, 35 Senate contests, and 36 gubernatorial elections held in 2026. NPR serves as a primary distributor of these results for local and national audiences. This partnership relies on a decision-making framework that has remained largely consistent since 1848.

AP race callers work alongside analysts who specialize in specific election types. These analysts track statewide races and House districts. A team of decision editors signs off on every call for president, U.S. Senate, and governor positions. They also approve calls for significant U.S. House races. This group reviews incoming vote totals county by county.

The team examines how ballots are cast in states where that data is available. They distinguish between votes cast in person at polling places and advance ballots submitted by mail or in person. Staff maintain constant contact with the AP vote count team. They seek the latest information on the number of ballots counted and those remaining to be processed. This data helps them assess the likelihood of a specific candidate winning.

AP staff consider several factors when a race is not fully counted. They analyze the geographic source of outstanding ballots. They evaluate the demographic makeup of those communities. They also look at how individuals in those areas previously voted. The goal is to determine if a candidate has a mathematical path to victory. If the math shows a clear winner, the race is called before 100% of votes are tallied.

The organization does not make projections based on speculation. A call is a declaration that one candidate has emerged as the winner. It asserts that no other candidate can overtake the leader once all votes are counted. This standard ensures that calls are based on concrete election data rather than guesswork. AP avoids naming apparent or likely winners until certainty is reached.

NPR will announce AP race calls through broadcast and digital platforms. The network updates its election results pages in real time using AP data. Member stations also receive this information. This allows viewers across Bernalillo County and the nation to track the progress of the 2026 election. The coverage will continue as counting progresses.

NPR does not call a race based on a candidate's victory declaration. A concession speech does not trigger an official call. This ethical standard applies to both NPR and the Associated Press. In the 2000 election, AP did not call the Florida race between George W. Bush and Al Gore. The margin was too close to declare a winner with confidence. This history reinforces the reliance on statistical analysis over political signals.

The AP team waits until it is fully confident in the outcome. This definition means the trailing candidates no longer have a path to victory. The organization backs every call with transparent reporting. It details the research and analysis that led to the decision. This explanatory journalism is a key part of AP's election coverage. Counting may take time, and race calls will help determine the balance of power in the Senate and House.