I’m not saying it isn’t common practice, it’s just not legally binding until the process Spiky Bugger posted is done.I remember the AP doing it for as long as I've been around..., turns put they have been doing it much longer... since 1848
", the Associated Press has been the "gold standard" for calling races for decades and began "counting the vote" in 1848. In the highly contested 2000 presidential race between President George W. Bush and former Vice President Al Gore, for example, the Associated Press never made a call in the election, as it viewed the Florida race as too close to call, the AP said."
But many consider the media the legally binding authority. After all, that’s how it’s been done for decades. Imagine Dewey’s surprise when he lost to Truman even tho the media said he won.