11/07/06

AP Statement: Calling races at scheduled poll close

The Associated Press calls races at scheduled poll close when our political experts and analysts are satisfied a candidate has a significant winning margin. They weigh a number of factors, including voter turnout, previous voting patterns, election day exit polling and the experience of AP journalists who have covered the campaigns. When our projections indicate a candidate has that significant winning margin, we will call the race at the scheduled poll close hour even if voting has been extended briefly in selected precincts.

As always, we do not call races until we are confident of that winning margin, whether at poll close or many hours or days later.

Linda M. Wagner, Director of Media Relations and Public Affairs, Associated Press, Corporate Communications