These organizations, including The New
York Times, weigh a range of data before states and races are
called for a candidate. That includes poll data in races that are
not very competitive, which is why races can be called so early. In
closer races, the data includes a detailed analysis of the votes
counted and remaining.

Each organization may use a different threshold for making
projections. The Associated Press, for example, may decide not
to call a winner if the margin between the top two candidates is
less than 0.5 of a percentage point. Decision makers at NBC
News will not project races unless they are at least 99.5
percent confident of the winner.