A local ABC news station drew significant attention after mistakenly broadcasting what appeared to be the 2024 election results days before the actual election.
During a Formula 1 race, viewers were surprised to find election results for their home state in a banner across the bottom of their screen. The results indicated that with 100% of the votes counted, Harris won the battleground state by 5%, “defeating” Trump.
WNEP-TV, a local affiliate of ABC News, informed viewers that the airing of election results was an “error” and came from a “randomly generated” test leading up to election night on November 5.
Election integrity remains a critical topic for many Americans, especially as the nation approaches the highly contested 2024 presidential election. With various states implementing new voting regulations and security measures, the accidental airing of election results has added to existing concerns over potential biases and mishandling of election-related information.
The early release, though quickly addressed by the station, continues to generate debate online and among election watchdogs. Observers emphasize that such errors can have serious consequences, particularly when trust in media and electoral systems is already a sensitive issue.
