Discussion»Questions»Random Knowledge» How can the media have any confidence that they're declaring the right winner for a state when fewer than 10% of precincts have reported?
It depends how representative a sample the 10% of total precincts is.
If the precincts are entirely in rural or wealthy suburban districts, the reported voting will tend to have a GOP bias.
If the precincts are dominated by poor/urban/ethnic areas, the reported voting will tend to have a Democratic bias.
Some states are so dominantly "Red" or "Blue" that even a small sample is enough to indicate very little chance of an upset. For example, I read the District of Columbia is voting 96% Clinton. Even a small sample of DC voters is enough to tell you Trump is not wining there.
It depends how many people that small percent is. If it is a state with large population then 1% can be considered enough. Also they using polls taken before the election and exit polls.
Your state may have been one that has been polling consistently high red and also in exit polls was coming up red. Califonia and my state were declared blue almost instantaneously as well because it is known they will go blue.
SavvyAnsley 