Race Call Status

When available, the Elections response includes the race call status (raceCallStatus in JSON and RaceCallStatus in XML). This may be the Called Status (for any race) or the AP Decision Status (for National Races only). If the Called Status becomes available for a national race, it replaces the AP Decision Status.

Called Status

The status of the actual race call:

 

Called Status

Description

Called

The AP has declared the winner of the race.

  Important

 

If a race has multiple winners, only some may have been called. Make sure to check the number of winners in this race and how many candidates are marked as winners.

 

 

 

Runoff

The race has been called as advancing to runoff.

  Important

 

If a race has multiple winners, only some may have been called. Make sure to check the number of winners in this race and how many candidates are marked as advancing to runoff.

 

 

 

Winner Not Leading

The winner of the race declared by the AP is currently not leading.

Uncalled

Used very rarely when the AP has already called the race and has to rescind the call.

AP Decision Status

For National Races, the AP Decision status provides you with additional insight about when to expect a race call, if at all. If the Called Status becomes available for a national race, it replaces the AP Decision Status.

 

AP Decision Status

Description

Too Early to Call

(The default) Automatically set at poll close.

Too Close to Call

One of the following:

  • The race will proceed or be subject to a recount.

  • Tabulation is largely complete, but there may remain uncounted provisional or late-arriving absentee ballots that could affect the outcome.

Unable to Call

A deficiency in the data at the source renders the vote count unreliable, preventing the AP from conducting an analysis; distinct from "AP Will Not Call" in that it could change; for example, the 2020 Iowa Caucus.

Awaiting Ranked Choice Results

AP assesses no candidate will win outright, and the election will proceed to election officials tabulating ranked choice vote results.

AP Will Not Call

One of the following:

  • AP is tabulating this race, but knows in advance it will not call it, such as third-party primary elections.

  • AP intended to call this race, but for unforeseen reasons decides after polls close that it will not declare a winner.