i'm nada tawfik in miami, florida — donald trump's home state. but will ron desantis use this election as a springboard to make his own bid for the white house in 2024? and if his own bid for the white house in 202a? and if there is a republican landslide, will florida and its status as a swing state? i'm gary o'donoghue in atlanta, georgia. another key senate race and candidates are neck and neck. we may not get a result tonight but it could make a difference tojoe biden�*s ability to get things done. the polls close on a0 minutes, we will bring you the results as they come in. and i'm marianna spring — the bbc�*s disinformation correspondent — and i'm in the bbc�*s election hub here in the newsroom, analysing. i'm tracking how fossetts, conspiracy theories can spread online. —— fossetts. plus we'll have the best analysis all night from our panel of us experts from both sides of the political spectrum. welcome to washington, dc. and welcome to american elections 2022 from the bbc. hello, i'm katty kay. and i'm christian fraser. and for the next eight hours, we will be bringing you results and analysis of the us midterm elections. this is a uniquely american phenomenon — hundreds of individuals races, each one a piece of a nationwide puzzle. by the end, we hope to have a clear picture of the american political landscape for the coming few years. for republicans, it's a chance to retake the house of representatives — and perhaps even the senate. if they�* re successful, that would set them on good footing heading into the presidential race of 202a. democrats of course want to prevent that, and head into the next election with momentum of their own. then there are questions over election security, and violence. the shadow of the january 6th riots at the capitol hangs over this vote. many republican candidates still falsely claim donald trump won the 2020 presidential election. and there are very real questions about whether america can even host a peaceful democratic process. polls are beginning to close and results will soon start pouring in. with us tonight are our panel — republican strategist ron christie, and amanda renteria, who played a leading role on hillary clinton's 2016 campaign. welcome to you both. amanda, what are you looking out for? i’m welcome to you both. amanda, what are you looking out for?— are you looking out for? i'm excited about what — are you looking out for? i'm excited about what we've _ are you looking out for? i'm excited about what we've seen _ are you looking out for? i'm excited about what we've seen in _ are you looking out for? i'm excited about what we've seen in the - are you looking out for? i'm excited about what we've seen in the early l about what we've seen in the early votes _ about what we've seen in the early votes and — about what we've seen in the early votes and what we've seen tonight. people _ votes and what we've seen tonight. people are — votes and what we've seen tonight. people are lining up. i think it is testament — people are lining up. i think it is testament to people still believing in democracy, wanting to show up and say, i— in democracy, wanting to show up and say, i want _ in democracy, wanting to show up and say, i want to— in democracy, wanting to show up and say, i want to have a vote and a voice _ say, i want to have a vote and a voice in — say, i want to have a vote and a voice in this— say, i want to have a vote and a voice in this election cycle and how important — voice in this election cycle and how important it— voice in this election cycle and how important it is not only for democracy but in the lead up to 2024 _ democracy but in the lead up to 2024. ~ ., 4' democracy but in the lead up to 2024. ~ ., ~ ., democracy but in the lead up to 2024. ~ ., . ., 2024. we were 'oking that election date is your — 2024. we were joking that election date is your favourite _ 2024. we were joking that election date is your favourite day - 2024. we were joking that election date is your favourite day of - 2024. we were joking that election date is your favourite day of the . date is your favourite day of the year. this is like going to the gym for ryan christie, what are you watching for?— watching for? i'm looking at pennsylvania, _ watching for? i'm looking at pennsylvania, think- watching for? i'm looking at pennsylvania, think it - watching for? i'm looking at pennsylvania, think it will . watching for? i'm looking at| pennsylvania, think it will be watching for? i'm looking at i pennsylvania, think it will be a dull weather. _ pennsylvania, think it will be a dull weather. what— pennsylvania, think it will be a dull weather. what are - pennsylvania, think it will be a - dull weather. what are republicans going _ dull weather. what are republicans going to _ dull weather. what are republicans going to do? — dull weather. what are republicans going to do? they— dull weather. what are republicans going to do? they are _ dull weather. what are republicans going to do? they are going - dull weather. what are republicans going to do? they are going to - dull weather. what are republicans going to do? they are going to the i going to do? they are going to the house _ going to do? they are going to the house it— going to do? they are going to the house ifvou— going to do? they are going to the house. if you have _ going to do? they are going to the house. if you have a _ going to do? they are going to the house. if you have a president - going to do? they are going to the house. if you have a president of. house. if you have a president of the united — house. if you have a president of the united states— house. if you have a president of the united states who _ house. if you have a president of the united states who has - house. if you have a president of the united states who has an - the united states who has an approval— the united states who has an approval rating _ the united states who has an approval rating beneath - the united states who has an| approval rating beneath 50%, republicans _ approval rating beneath 50%, republicans will _ approval rating beneath 50%, republicans will do _ approval rating beneath 50%, republicans will do a - approval rating beneath 50%, republicans will do a good i approval rating beneath 50%,| republicans will do a good job approval rating beneath 50%, i republicans will do a good job of waking _ republicans will do a good job of waking up — republicans will do a good job of waking up in— republicans will do a good job of waking up. in pennsylvania, - republicans will do a good job of waking up. in pennsylvania, is l republicans will do a good job of. waking up. in pennsylvania, is what is going _ waking up. in pennsylvania, is what is going to — waking up. in pennsylvania, is what is going to happen _ waking up. in pennsylvania, is what is going to happen. we _ waking up. in pennsylvania, is what is going to happen. we haven't- is going to happen. we haven't thought— is going to happen. we haven't thought about _ is going to happen. we haven't thought about you _ is going to happen. we haven't thought about you hampshire i is going to happen. we haven't. thought about you hampshire but is going to happen. we haven't- thought about you hampshire but what is going _ thought about you hampshire but what is going to _ thought about you hampshire but what is going to happen— thought about you hampshire but what is going to happen wits—mac— thought about you hampshire but what is going to happen wits—mac it's - is going to happen wits—mac it's good _ is going to happen wits—mac it's good to— is going to happen wits—mac it's good to he — is going to happen wits—mac it's good to he a _ is going to happen wits—mac it's good to be a great _ is going to happen wits—mac it's good to be a great night, - is going to happen wits—mac it's good to be a great night, it's . is going to happen wits—mac it's i good to be a great night, it's going to he _ good to be a great night, it's going to he an _ good to be a great night, it's going to he an early— good to be a great night, it's going to be an early night, _ good to be a great night, it's going to be an early night, think- good to be a great night, it's going to be an early night, think if- to be an early night, think if republicans _ to be an early night, think if republicans will— to be an early night, think if republicans will sweep- to be an early night, think if republicans will sweep the i to be an early night, think if- republicans will sweep the table, we will see _ republicans will sweep the table, we will see pretty— republicans will sweep the table, we will see pretty quickly _ republicans will sweep the table, we will see pretty quickly whether- republicans will sweep the table, we will see pretty quickly whether they i will see pretty quickly whether they are going _ will see pretty quickly whether they are going to— will see pretty quickly whether they are going to win _ will see pretty quickly whether they are going to win the _ will see pretty quickly whether they are going to win the house - will see pretty quickly whether they are going to win the house of- are going to win the house of representatives. _ are going to win the house of representatives.— are going to win the house of representatives. let's keep it civil! she and _ representatives. let's keep it civil! she and i _ representatives. let's keep it civil! she and i are _ representatives. let's keep it civil! she and i are so - representatives. let's keep it civil! she and i are so alike. . representatives. let's keep it. civil! she and i are so alike. it's a divided _ civil! she and i are so alike. it's a divided country _ civil! she and i are so alike. it's a divided country but _ civil! she and i are so alike. it's a divided country but it - civil! she and i are so alike. it's a divided country but it is - civil! she and i are so alike. it's a divided country but it is a - a divided country but it is a unified newsroom tonight. we are all wanting just to give you a good programme. lots of results to get through. we cannot remember there are which is why we have our wonderful guests with us and we have tools we can use to make sure we keep on top of everything. but before that, let's look at how this all works. the white house — the home of the president, the most iconic place in america. but the white house isn't up for grabs in tonight's elections. these races come halfway throuthoe biden's term in office — hence the name midterms. no, tonight, it's congress that's in play. whoever controls that building behind me it's to decide how the money is spent, whether america goes to war and even if a president is removed from office. so let's break down what's at stake. first, there's the senate, the upper chamber. american senators serve six years in these halls of power, which means this year, just one third of them are up for reelection. democrats are in control of the senate, but the margins couldn't be tighter. there are 50 members who vote with the democrats, including two independent senators, and there are 50 republicans. since they're locked in this 50—50 split, vice president harris becomes the deciding vote, giving control to the democrats. but if president biden's party loses just one seat in the senate tonight, the republicans will control the senate outright. and, yes, unlike most countries in the world, here in america, it's the more liberal party — the democrats — that use the colour blue, while the conservative republicans use the colour red. just one of those things i've learned to live with here. and then there's the house of representatives. the democrats currently control of the lower chamber as well, but not by much. and tonight, all a35 seats are up for grabs. republicans need to win just five more seats to take control of the house, and they're expected to do so. fun fact — in midterm elections, the president's party nearly always loses seats in the house, especially when the economy isn't doing so well. and in america right now, it really isn't. this is the first national election since a mob of trump supporters stormed the capitol onjanuary 6, 2021. they falsely believed that the democrats had stolen the election from them and they were trying to stop it from being certified. bbc data shows that more than half of current republican candidates for house, senate and governors�* races have cast doubt on the results of the 2020 election. so the stakes tonight are high, and notjust for lawmakers here in washington. in all 50 states, there are local offices up for grabs too, those precious down ballot races. and the results of these midterms will also set the stage for, yes, yet another election, the one for control of the white house in just two years' time. i'm so impressed that katty kay hasn't passed all those places on the hill. access all areas! has a pass to all those areas. let's have a look at the screen we are going to use through the night to make sense of it all. we have cleared the decks. there are a35 house seats up for grabs. don't forget, as kelly said, —— cathy said, republicans in red and the democrats in blue. let me take you back to 2020 and remind you how the house looked. so they go. 220 for the democrats, 212 for the republicans. that means that tonight, republicans need just a net gain of five, that is what the democrats are up against. it is equally tight as well in the senate. if you look at the senate right now, let me put it up for you. i will get used to this by the end of the night! don't forget there are two independents that felt with the democrats, so a8 acres 50, then we have the vice president kamala harris will break the tie in the senate. the republicans only need to night a net gain of one and that is why pennsylvania is so close. let me remind you quickly of the electoral couege remind you quickly of the electoral college as a finished in 2020, you are looking in light blue at the key battleground states that again we will be focusing on tonight. wisconsin, michigan, pennsylvania, georgia, arizona. in all of these states tonight there is a governor thatis states tonight there is a governor that is up for grabs. the governor's house up for election at all of them with the exception of michigan, there is a senate seat up for grabs as well. when you look at this map, so crucially important, control of congress, the two parties have spent a grand total of $6 billion on tv ads to win some of these seats. lstallion ads to win some of these seats. when ou realise ads to win some of these seats. when you realise how _ ads to win some of these seats. when you realise how few _ ads to win some of these seats. when you realise how few american - ads to win some of these seats. when you realise how few american voters are actually persuadable, that is an awful lot of money.— are actually persuadable, that is an awful lot of money. they could have 'ust civen awful lot of money. they could have just given them _ awful lot of money. they could have just given them a — awful lot of money. they could have just given them a check _ awful lot of money. they could have just given them a check on - awful lot of money. they could have just given them a check on the - just given them a check on the doorstep! come and vote for me! that would have been more useful. 0ut doorstep! come and vote for me! that would have been more useful. out of your large bbc salary. thank you! we have correspondence all around the united states keeping an eye on the key battleground races for us. we will be checking in with them throughout the night. they have guests with them and they will bring us the latest information from those battleground states. we start with john sudworth in pennsylvania. thank you. i am in an old el house here in downtown philadelphia. —— alehouse. people are coming in after work, there are still a couple of hours of pulling left ear. shortly people will be able to begin watching the results of drilling in on the big screen. believe it or not they will be watching it from a pub that dates back to 1860. the eve of the american civil war and an event that some people still today believe has dark echoes into dave's divided political landscape. it is those divisions that have been very much in evidence on the campaign trail in pennsylvania. and in a key senate race that pits dr mehmet oz, republican and a slick celebrity tv against his democrat opponentjohn fetterman, a man who has been living out his own personal health crisis through this campaign, having suffered a stroke earlier in the year. all that has complicated this race, it has left pulse to close the call and that is why this state is one of the few that is seen to have potentially a real bearing on the make—up of congress and that key question, will president biden be able to in any way govern effectively after these midterms or does he become a lame duck for the remainder of his term? one other detail to add, the legal wrangling here has already begun over a small portion of mail—in ballots. that tells you just how close this election is, that every vote being fought over, butjust how politicised the process itself has become. forthe politicised the process itself has become. for the latest in further we canjoin my colleague nada tawfik. thank you, john. yes, voting here is about to end in the sunshine state, you can see behind me not so much sunshine, floridians are voting as a storm is approaching. but nevertheless, even now this is a nail—biting contest like that in pennsylvania, what happens in florida can tell us a lot about the direction of the country. on the senate side, we have a really safe win that is expected for marco rubio against val demings, the former orlando police chief. she admitted that the democrats' messaging wasn't resonating that while in florida as it shifts ever to the right. on the house side, republicans are hoping that they can pick up five democratic seats which would give them the five they need to take back control of the house just here in florida alone. but the real attention is of course on the governors' race. in 2018, ron desantis won byjust under 1% of the vote. today everyone is looking at the margins thinking he could do extremely well in florida, beating her well donald trump it here in 2020. a lot of that is down to the congressional maps, how they are favouring republicans now. the authority and population is getting older and for the first time we are seeing more registered republicans than democrats in the sunshine state. but the latino vote, keep your eye on that. we are indeed country and for the first and even though it is a democratic stronghold —— dade county, it could go for a republican for the first time since jeb bush. so lots to look forward to in the sunshine state and what i could say for the white house bid in 202a. we will bring the results come. and for the latest in georgia we go to gary o'donoghue. thank you. yes, this is us here at the victory party, he hopes, for the incumbent governor brian kemp, a republican who has been leading stacey abrams in the paul's pretty consistently doing this campaign. he is the governor who stood out against donald trump afterjanuary the 6th and the attempt to overturn the 6th and the attempt to overturn the results in states like georgia. he won his primary against a trump backed candidate and he's looking forward he believes to a victory here tonight. in congressional terms there are 1a seats in georgia, only one of them is competitive, that is currently held by a democrat, that could go into the republican column tonight. all the focus this evening is on the race for the senate seat that's up this time around. the incumbent democrat raphael warnock is going head—to—head with herschel walker the former football star who has faced allegations of abuse of women and of paying for abortions and hypocrisy, but there are neck and hypocrisy, but there are neck and neck in the paul's, they have been pretty much throughout this race. the thing you have to remember about georgia is that to win here, you need to win 50% plus one vote in either of those men have got near that, partly because we have a libertarian candidate who has been pulling some of those votes too. remember back in 2020, it was georgia who deliver those two seats in runoff could georgia again hold the key to legislative success for joe biden? ~ ., , the key to legislative success for joe biden?— the key to legislative success for joe biden? ~ ., , ,, , , joe biden? will not be keeping up with those states. _ joe biden? will not be keeping up with those states. hundreds - joe biden? will not be keeping up with those states. hundreds of. with those states. hundreds of people are on the ballot right across the country. it will give us across the country. it will give us a sense of how it is going to happen during the course of the night. you can see people there voting in fairfax just outside washington, dc. the tv cameras are in the polling stations at the moment. when you look at what is happening tonight, inflation is high, people are afraid of crime, president biden is unpopular, generally speaking in a midterm elections, the party that holds the white house losing seats, shouldn't this be, by historical standards, a very good night for republicans? it standards, a very good night for republicans?— republicans? it should be. traditionally _ republicans? it should be. traditionally as _ republicans? it should be. traditionally as you - republicans? it should be. - traditionally as you articulated, republicans are looking at this late and saying the president of the united states is beneath 50%. other than george w bush for his re—election, he actually gained seats. traditionally the party in power is going to lose 36—a0 seats, if the president's approval rating is underneath 50%. yes, republicans are feeling very optimistic, but i will say this, you can't be bullish, you have to recognise that it matters what the electorate is doing. you said it exactly right, crime, inflation, these are the issues, and as the hours go on this evening, we will see how it bears out. if i am a republican, which i am, i think the republicans have a very good chance of regaining not only the house of representatives but the senate as well. {links only the house of representatives but the senate as well.— only the house of representatives but the senate as well. only in two midterm elections _ but the senate as well. only in two midterm elections since _ but the senate as well. only in two midterm elections since the - but the senate as well. only in two| midterm elections since the second world war that actually the party in power hasn't lost seats, so it would buck the trend historically. but amanda, the democrats on their side think, 0k, amanda, the democrats on their side think, ok, we have those historical factors but this time it's different because things have happened in this country over the last few months that have changed the nature of the election. , ., ., ., _, , that have changed the nature of the election. , ., ., ., , ., election. they have, and a couple of thins i election. they have, and a couple of things i would _ election. they have, and a couple of things i would say. _ election. they have, and a couple of things i would say. it _ election. they have, and a couple of things i would say. it is _ election. they have, and a couple of things i would say. it is history, - things i would say. it is history, the trends _ things i would say. it is history, the trends are real, there is a reason — the trends are real, there is a reason people want to change things when you _ reason people want to change things when you have a president in power, you want— when you have a president in power, you want to — when you have a president in power, you want to checks and balances, if you want to checks and balances, if you will _ you want to checks and balances, if you will. but i will say this, the decision— you will. but i will say this, the decision on— you will. but i will say this, the decision on roe vs wade and how women _ decision on roe vs wade and how women got engaged right after that decision— women got engaged right after that decision really did add a new dimension, which is to say, wait a second, _ dimension, which is to say, wait a second, is— dimension, which is to say, wait a second, is the republican party going _ second, is the republican party going to — second, is the republican party going to take us too far to an extreme, _ going to take us too far to an extreme, and am i worried? a lot of women _ extreme, and am i worried? a lot of women have — extreme, and am i worried? a lot of women have been engaging, the early vote has— women have been engaging, the early vote has been up, so it is a different— vote has been up, so it is a different time. also the redistricting. this is the first race — redistricting. this is the first race after— redistricting. this is the first race after that, and after a pandemic. so we are looking at it closely _ pandemic. so we are looking at it closely because there are so many new things — closely because there are so many new things in this election tonight. sarah _ new things in this election tonight. sarah smith, why should people care about the world? essen sarah smith, why should people care about the world?— about the world? even if the republicans _ about the world? even if the republicans don't _ about the world? even if the republicans don't win - about the world? even if the republicans don't win the i about the world? even if the - republicans don't win the senate, if they win the house they can block every legislation thatjoe biden wants to put through, domestic but also on climate change or instance, that would be blocked by republicans, who will almost certainly notjust republicans, who will almost certainly not just try and stop republicans, who will almost certainly notjust try and stop what he's doing but also put together investigations looking into things that happened in the first two years of president biden's term, the withdrawal from afghanistan, the covid—19 response, they may even try to impeach him, even if they haven't decided what they want to impeach him for yet. if you have the us president struggling with these domestic problems, he can't look at the rest of the world in the same way, so it could have an impact on what happens in ukraine. there are republican candidates who don't want to spend as much money to ukraine. it will have a ripple effect around the west of the world when the white house is entangled in domestic affairs, they can't be everywhere at once. —— the rest of the world. i'm going to pop in and out of here all night! we going to pop in and out of here all niuht! ~ , , ., ., , going to pop in and out of here all niuht! ~ , ., night! we will bring you in as often as we can! — night! we will bring you in as often as we can! from _ night! we will bring you in as often as we can! from my— night! we will bring you in as often as we can! from my 2 _ night! we will bring you in as often as we can! from my 2 cents, - night! we will bring you in as often as we can! from my 2 cents, why l night! we will bring you in as often i as we can! from my 2 cents, why we should watch this election around the world, first it sets us up for 202a, to see who is going to run, and it is the first national election america has held since january sixth and the world is watching to see if america can hold a peaceful election that both sides, winners and losers, are prepared to accept. if you want to keep up, there is more from sarah and justin webb and marianna spring. it's on americast. it's available on bbc.com/sounds or the bbc sounds app. christian, give a sense of how much of this is put together.— of this is put together. behind me is a very experienced _ of this is put together. behind me is a very experienced team, - of this is put together. behind me is a very experienced team, the l is a very experienced team, the beating heart of the bbc newsroom in washington. spare a thought for these guys, they are here through these guys, they are here through the night well into tomorrow morning. this is really where you need your team, because there was an awful lot of information coming into the newsroom tonight, a70 congressional races, 36 governor races, 6300 legislative races across the country. how do we check that? how do we double—check the results we are bringing you are accurate? and how and when do we feel confident bringing you some results? here is a familiar face, our confident bringing you some results? here is a familiarface, our north america correspondent anthony zurcher, who will be in the studio with us through the night. we will get results from some states pretty quickly, but others we will have to be patient. why does it take longer in those states?— in those states? some states don't tabulate the _ in those states? some states don't tabulate the early _ in those states? some states don't tabulate the early voting _ in those states? some states don't tabulate the early voting until- in those states? some states don't tabulate the early voting until the i tabulate the early voting until the polls close. pennsylvania can't even open _ polls close. pennsylvania can't even open the _ polls close. pennsylvania can't even open the envelopes that were sent in by mail— open the envelopes that were sent in by mail until the polls close, it takes — by mail until the polls close, it takes a — by mail until the polls close, it takes a while to count and process these _ takes a while to count and process these millions of votes. other places— these millions of votes. other places like florida opened them and begin— places like florida opened them and begin tabulating well before election day, that way they can report— election day, that way they can report to — election day, that way they can report to heat quickly. it's a case by case _ report to heat quickly. it's a case by case basis. report to heat quickly. it's a case by case basis-— report to heat quickly. it's a case by case basis. i've done more uk elections than _ by case basis. i've done more uk elections than i _ by case basis. i've done more uk elections than i care _ by case basis. i've done more uk elections than i care to _ by case basis. i've done more uk l elections than i care to remember, and we have a returning officer on stage with the candidates to give us a definitive result. but we don't have that in america. how do we know when someone has won? i have that in america. how do we know when someone has won?— when someone has won? i love that about uk elections, _ when someone has won? i love that about uk elections, but _ when someone has won? i love that about uk elections, but in _ about uk elections, but in america it takes— about uk elections, but in america it takes longer to tabulate the votes — it takes longer to tabulate the votes. media groups and exit pollers gathers _ votes. media groups and exit pollers gathers data from the exit polls combined with early results, and they make — combined with early results, and they make projections about who is going _ they make projections about who is going to _ they make projections about who is going to win. when it gets to the point _ going to win. when it gets to the point where one candidate clearly cannot _ point where one candidate clearly cannot win, the other one as it's locked _ cannot win, the other one as it's locked up— cannot win, the other one as it's locked up by a 99.5% certainty, they make _ locked up by a 99.5% certainty, they make the _ locked up by a 99.5% certainty, they make the projections and 99.5% of the time _ make the projections and 99.5% of the time it— make the projections and 99.5% of the time it is right, obviously some exceptions — the time it is right, obviously some exceptions. in 2000, there were some wrong _ exceptions. in 2000, there were some wrong predictions, but media outlets are very— wrong predictions, but media outlets are very careful at this point. we will see you _ are very careful at this point. - will see you in the studio later, anthony. what is important on a night like this is that we bring you timely and accurate information, no easy task in a newsroom that is dealing with so many different networks. television, radio, online. there is well serviced, the bbc�*s language services, and someone has to co—ordinate the information and talk not only to them but also to the correspondences in each of the battleground states tonight. let me introduce you to the ringmaster, the maestro, who is going to put it all together. tell us how you do it. this is the desk from we call the results. — this is the desk from we call the results, the key races, the projections for those races in coordination for the tv special, radio— coordination for the tv special, radio and — coordination for the tv special, radio and the online operation on the bbc— radio and the online operation on the bbc news app and the website. in the bbc news app and the website. in the us, _ the bbc news app and the website. in the us, we _ the bbc news app and the website. in the us, we work closely with our broadcast — the us, we work closely with our broadcast partner cbs, a couple of bbcjournalists embedded in their election— bbcjournalists embedded in their election centre in new york, and when _ election centre in new york, and when we — election centre in new york, and when we have the information we can make _ when we have the information we can make the _ when we have the information we can make the projections. we call them out at _ make the projections. we call them out at the _ make the projections. we call them out at the same time so that the readers — out at the same time so that the readers and viewers and listeners can get— readers and viewers and listeners can get it — readers and viewers and listeners can get it in real time simultaneously on all bbc platforms. i simultaneously on all bbc platforms. i hope _ simultaneously on all bbc platforms. i hope some of our viewers are on the web page, all of the information is on there, what are you going to put on there, what can they say? you can see the — put on there, what can they say? you can see the tv _ put on there, what can they say? you can see the tv special, the live page. _ can see the tv special, the live page. you _ can see the tv special, the live page, you can follow it as a stream, and you _ page, you can follow it as a stream, and you can — page, you can follow it as a stream, and you can also follow the information that our teams in the field in _ information that our teams in the field in florida, that we were talking — field in florida, that we were talking to earlier, pennsylvania, wisconsin, _ talking to earlier, pennsylvania, wisconsin, georgia, the key races, bringing _ wisconsin, georgia, the key races, bringing analysis, reaction, first coverage — bringing analysis, reaction, first coverage of the results. in headquarters and other campaign areas _ headquarters and other campaign areas from where they will cover the story _ areas from where they will cover the sto . ., it's areas from where they will cover the story-_ it's going - areas from where they will cover the story-_ it's going to - areas from where they will cover the story._ it's going to be - areas from where they will cover the story._ it's going to be a l story. confident? it's going to be a lona story. confident? it's going to be a long night! — story. confident? it's going to be a long night! he _ story. confident? it's going to be a long night! he is— story. confident? it's going to be a long night! he is very _ story. confident? it's going to be a long night! he is very good, - story. confident? it's going to be a long night! he is very good, it - story. confident? it's going to be a long night! he is very good, it will| long night! he is very good, it will be fine. long night! he is very good, it will be fine- let _ long night! he is very good, it will be fine. let me _ long night! he is very good, it will be fine. let me introduce - long night! he is very good, it will be fine. let me introduce you - long night! he is very good, it will be fine. let me introduce you to l be fine. let me introduce you to marry spring, who has been creating fictitious characters who each have a profile, tell us about them. these are the bbc — a profile, tell us about them. these are the bbc undercover _ a profile, tell us about them. these are the bbc undercover voters, - a profile, tell us about them. these are the bbc undercover voters, five | are the bbc undercover voters, five characters — are the bbc undercover voters, five characters based on the research centre _ characters based on the research centre. larry, the faithful conservative. all of the characters across _ conservative. all of the characters across the — conservative. all of the characters across the political spectrum. he is pro-guns, — across the political spectrum. he is pro-guns, a — across the political spectrum. he is pro—guns, a committed republican. populist— pro—guns, a committed republican. populist right britney, she doesn't like vaccines, she supports donald trump _ like vaccines, she supports donald trump and — like vaccines, she supports donald trump and lives in texas. gabriella, the apolitical voter in miami, she's not into— the apolitical voter in miami, she's not into politics, and the democratic mainstay michael, he is into the _ democratic mainstay michael, he is into the unions and he is a big supporter— into the unions and he is a big supporter of the democratic party. and then _ supporter of the democratic party. and then emma is pro—life and worried — and then emma is pro—life and worried about racial equality and other— worried about racial equality and other issues in the us. on election day, _ other issues in the us. on election day, have — other issues in the us. on election day, have they been bombarded by adverts _ day, have they been bombarded by adverts and news? each of them have profiles _ adverts and news? each of them have profiles on _ adverts and news? each of them have profiles on social media, i am tracking — profiles on social media, i am tracking what they are targeted with. _ tracking what they are targeted with, disinformation, allegations of fraudulent — with, disinformation, allegations of fraudulent voting which is contrary to the _ fraudulent voting which is contrary to the evidence we have right now, and i'm _ to the evidence we have right now, and i'm going to tell you all about the kinds — and i'm going to tell you all about the kinds of hate and conspiracy theories — the kinds of hate and conspiracy theories and the polarised topics and adverts from abortion to climate change _ and adverts from abortion to climate change that they have been targeted with. are _ change that they have been targeted with. . , ., , ., change that they have been targeted with. . i. i. ., ., with. are you telling me you are on facebook. — with. are you telling me you are on facebook, twitter _ with. are you telling me you are on facebook, twitter and _ with. are you telling me you are on facebook, twitter and instagram i with. are you telling me you are on | facebook, twitter and instagram on five different phones? bud facebook, twitter and instagram on five different phones?— five different phones? and tiktok. marianna spring, _ five different phones? and tiktok. marianna spring, who _ five different phones? and tiktok. marianna spring, who i _ five different phones? and tiktok. marianna spring, who i call- five different phones? and tiktok. marianna spring, who i call miss i marianna spring, who i call miss space macro information, get it? yes, although i'll pretend i didn't, it was so bad. == yes, although i'll pretend i didn't, it was so bad. -- miss information. mark fincham _ it was so bad. -- miss information. mark fincham is _ it was so bad. -- miss information. mark fincham is running _ it was so bad. -- miss information. mark fincham is running to - it was so bad. -- miss information. mark fincham is running to be - it was so bad. -- miss information. mark fincham is running to be the. mark fincham is running to be the secretary of state in arizona and he says he would not have certified joe biden's 2020 election and has taken a hard line against what he called the influence affecting the scales of election justice. the influence affecting the scales of electionjustice. he the influence affecting the scales of election justice. he spoke to me to my documentary trump to come back. would you ever accept a democrat could win arizona or do you not think that's possible? i democrat could win arizona or do you not think that's possible?— not think that's possible? i have a hard time believing _ not think that's possible? i have a hard time believing that's - not think that's possible? i have a l hard time believing that's possible. everywhere i go, the vast majority of people still show support for president trump.— of people still show support for president trump. mark 'oins us now from arizona. h president trump. mark 'oins us now from arizona, thank _ president trump. mark joins us now from arizona, thank you _ president trump. mark joins us now from arizona, thank you for - president trump. mark joins us now from arizona, thank you forjoiningl from arizona, thank you forjoining us again. we cover gubernatorial races, senate races, congressional races, senate races, congressional races, the race for the president of the united states. explain to viewers around the world why they should be interested in the secretary of state from arizona? it's essentially the executive who is the senior elections overseer, if you will. the individual who is responsible for making sure every one of the 15 counties hold their elections under the law. in fact i've been running on something that's a very simple concept, to hold everyone accountable to just follow the law. in arizona, we have an entire title within our statutes called number 16 which deals with how the elections are conducted, along with an election procedure manual that quite frankly in the current election, it's not being followed. ~ , ., followed. when i met you in the summer. _ followed. when i met you in the summer. you — followed. when i met you in the summer, you told _ followed. when i met you in the summer, you told me _ followed. when i met you in the summer, you told me you - followed. when i met you in the i summer, you told me you thought followed. when i met you in the - summer, you told me you thought a democrat could never win in arizona, is it really a good idea to have somebody who believes that in charge of running the election? how could democrats trust that you are going to be fair? �* , democrats trust that you are going to be fair? 3 ~ , democrats trust that you are going to be fair? �*, ,, , ., to be fair? let's keep that in context. _ to be fair? let's keep that in context. we _ to be fair? let's keep that in context, we are _ to be fair? let's keep that in context, we are such - to be fair? let's keep that in context, we are such a - to be fair? let's keep that in i context, we are such a heavily republican state, certainly there are pockets of democrats that would win elections and i'm sure in the election we are holding today, there will be democrat that will win. but in certain districts, state—wide, we are going to see a suite for example this of republicans. that is... we have half of the elections directors and county reporters are democrats. —— we are going to see a sweep. people feel disenfranchised, we are seeing that right now in maricopa county. if seeing that right now in maricopa coun . , ., ., �* seeing that right now in maricopa coun . ., �* ., county. if you don't win tonight, will ou county. if you don't win tonight, will you accept _ county. if you don't win tonight, will you accept the _ county. if you don't win tonight, will you accept the loss? - county. if you don't win tonight, will you accept the loss? as - county. if you don't win tonight, | will you accept the loss? as long county. if you don't win tonight, . will you accept the loss? as long as eve vote will you accept the loss? as long as every vote is _ will you accept the loss? as long as every vote is cast _ will you accept the loss? as long as every vote is cast within _ will you accept the loss? as long as every vote is cast within the - will you accept the loss? as long as every vote is cast within the law, i every vote is cast within the law, i'll accept it, but the way it's trending, this is going to be a smashing success. so many republicans and independents coming out for the republican side and the democrats have not shown up. so out for the republican side and the democrats have not shown up. 50 no democrats have not shown up. so no roblems democrats have not shown up. so no problems at — democrats have not shown up. so no problems at all _ democrats have not shown up. so no problems at all in _ democrats have not shown up. so no problems at all in arizona _ democrats have not shown up. so no problems at all in arizona today? - problems at all in arizona today? that's_ problems at all in arizona today? that's not— problems at all in arizona today? that's not what i said, we have massive problems, machines not tally incorrectly in maricopa county, machines that will not print ballots on demand. such poor management in maricopa county that they didn't even send the right ink cartridges for the printers for the on demand printing, that's one of the things i aim to correct and secretary of state. we will hold people accountable for making sure every voter has the opportunity to vote. there were people like now being turned away from the polls. i there were people like now being turned away from the polls. i heard man of turned away from the polls. i heard many of the — turned away from the polls. i heard many of the same _ turned away from the polls. i heard many of the same argument - turned away from the polls. i heard many of the same argument in - turned away from the polls. i heard i many of the same argument in 2020, and if— many of the same argument in 2020, and if you _ many of the same argument in 2020, and if you stand back from it, the 2020 _ and if you stand back from it, the 2020 election was a remarkable success, — 2020 election was a remarkable success, a — 2020 election was a remarkable success, a record turnout in the midst— success, a record turnout in the midst of— success, a record turnout in the midst of a — success, a record turnout in the midst of a pandemic. there were no end of— midst of a pandemic. there were no end of investigations, 60 court cases. — end of investigations, 60 court cases. and _ end of investigations, 60 court cases, and no evidence to suggest the election was fraudulent or stolen — the election was fraudulent or stolen in _ the election was fraudulent or stolen in arizona.— the election was fraudulent or stolen in arizona. quite frankly, i think ou stolen in arizona. quite frankly, i think you are _ stolen in arizona. quite frankly, i think you are misrepresenting i stolen in arizona. quite frankly, i | think you are misrepresenting the facts, we have ample evidence, in facts, we have ample evidence, in fact over 20,000 signatures so far... ~ , ., ., fact over 20,000 signatures so far... , ., ., , fact over 20,000 signatures so far... . , ., ., , ., far... why have you not put it into court? you _ far... why have you not put it into court? you lost. _ far... why have you not put it into court? you lost. we _ far... why have you not put it into court? you lost. we have. - far. .. why have you not put it into court? you lost. we have. let- far... why have you not put it into court? you lost. we have. let mej court? you lost. we have. let me finish my answer. _ court? you lost. we have. let me finish my answer. the _ court? you lost. we have. let me finish my answer. the court - court? you lost. we have. let me finish my answer. the court said i court? you lost. we have. let me| finish my answer. the court said it belongs in the legislature, not in the court, and frankly we have legislators showing cowardice and not willing to take it up. so we actually have in arizona, a us district court case where we have entered all of it into evidence, it was dismissed and we are now in front of the ninth circuit to see that we have our day in court. the attorney general in arizona says, we as prosecutors deal in facts and evidence. — as prosecutors deal in facts and evidence, not like the clowns that most _ evidence, not like the clowns that most of _ evidence, not like the clowns that most of against the wall and see what sticks. that is what he said about _ what sticks. that is what he said about the — what sticks. that is what he said about the evidence produced. he is a dis raced about the evidence produced. he is a disgraced gentleman _ about the evidence produced. he is a disgraced gentleman going _ about the evidence produced. he is a disgraced gentleman going out - about the evidence produced. he is a disgraced gentleman going out of. disgraced gentleman going out of office. the good news in arizona, there is no statute of limitations on the things he has ignored, we have supplied ample evidence for him to prosecute, and because its members of his own party, he chooses not to prosecute and perhaps that's why he hasn't done hisjob. not to prosecute and perhaps that's why he hasn't done his job.- why he hasn't done his 'ob. donald trump has — why he hasn't done his 'ob. donald trump has put h why he hasn't done his 'ob. donald trump has put out _ why he hasn't done his 'ob. donald trump has put out a _ why he hasn't done his job. donald trump has put out a statement - why he hasn't done his job. donald trump has put out a statement on | why he hasn't done his job. donald i trump has put out a statement on his network crew to social, saying, people of arizona don't get out of line until you have cast the vote, they are trying to steal the election with bad machines and delay, don't let it happen. —— croute social. is it notjust that some of the machines didn't work and now they have fixed them, most of them? . now they have fixed them, most of them? , ., , ., , now they have fixed them, most of them? , ., , .,, ., them? hundreds of people are being turned away — them? hundreds of people are being turned away from _ them? hundreds of people are being turned away from the _ them? hundreds of people are being turned away from the polls. - them? hundreds of people are being turned away from the polls. in - turned away from the polls. in arizona that is called voter disenfranchisement. they took time out of their day to come and vote and they have been turned away. i don't know what other label you would put on that.— don't know what other label you would put on that. donald trump is su: caestin would put on that. donald trump is suggesting it _ would put on that. donald trump is suggesting it is _ would put on that. donald trump is suggesting it is a — would put on that. donald trump is suggesting it is a deliberate - would put on that. donald trump is suggesting it is a deliberate effort. suggesting it is a deliberate effort to steal an election, as opposed to what seems to be the case, some of the machines didn't work and most of them have now been fixed. if you start using words like, the election is being stolen, when the vote is not even close and there is no evidence it is being stolen, does that notjust undermine trust in the democratic process needlessly? hagar democratic process needlessly? how about we democratic process needlessly? firm about we substitute respectable in confidence, incompetence? how do you send the wrong ink cartridge... you have had these machines will at least ten years... how do you send the wrong ink cartridge for the print on demand ballots? hundreds of people are being disenfranchised here, don't gloss over this, madam. this is a purposeful move by individuals, they should have known better. they had to know better, they are accountable and they will be accountable to the people. i am be accountable to the people. i am sure there will _ be accountable to the people. i am sure there will be _ be accountable to the people. i am sure there will be an _ be accountable to the people. i am sure there will be an investigation and we will find out whether it was purposeful or not or whether it was just an error, some people have had to wait in line longer during the course of today in arizona, mark fincham, thank you forjoining us from arizona. fincham, thank you for 'oining us from arizonah fincham, thank you for 'oining us from arizona.* from arizona. you are seeing ictures from arizona. you are seeing pictures from _ from arizona. you are seeing pictures from mar-a-lago i from arizona. you are seeing - pictures from mar-a-lago where pictures from mar—a—lago where donald _ pictures from mar—a—lago where donald trump is holding an event tonight— donald trump is holding an event tonight to — donald trump is holding an event tonight to watch the results come in. amanda, can i get you to react to what— in. amanda, can i get you to react to what mark fincham was saying? we have seen _ to what mark fincham was saying? we have seen evidence of this around the country— have seen evidence of this around the country today, donald trump asking _ the country today, donald trump asking questions about illinois where — asking questions about illinois where people are waiting in lines, the candidate for governor in arizona — the candidate for governor in arizona kari lake talking about maricopa — arizona kari lake talking about maricopa county and phoenix, problems with the machine, we have 'ust problems with the machine, we have just heard _ problems with the machine, we have just heard from mark fincham... is it a problem — just heard from mark fincham... is it a problem or are they trying to undermine — it a problem or are they trying to undermine what is going on? when undermine what is going on? when you see the set-up — undermine what is going on? when you see the set-up today, _ undermine what is going on? when you see the set-up today, 170 _ see the set—up today, 170 republicans _ see the set—up today, 170 republicans in _ see the set—up today, 170 republicans in safe - see the set—up today, 170 republicans in safe seatsl see the set—up today, 170 - republicans in safe seats saying they don't — republicans in safe seats saying they don't believe _ republicans in safe seats saying they don't believe in _ republicans in safe seats saying they don't believe in election i they don't believe in election integrity. _ they don't believe in election integrity, when _ they don't believe in election integrity, when you - they don't believe in election integrity, when you see - they don't believe in election - integrity, when you see candidates like we _ integrity, when you see candidates like we just— integrity, when you see candidates like we just saw— integrity, when you see candidates like we just saw saying, _ integrity, when you see candidates like we just saw saying, if - integrity, when you see candidates like we just saw saying, if i - integrity, when you see candidates like we just saw saying, if i don't i like we just saw saying, if i don't win, _ like we just saw saying, if i don't win. i_ like we just saw saying, if i don't win. i don't— like we just saw saying, if i don't win, i don't believe _ like we just saw saying, if i don't win, i don't believe it, _ like we just saw saying, if i don't win, i don't believe it, you - like we just saw saying, if i don't win, i don't believe it, you end i like we just saw saying, if i don'tl win, i don't believe it, you end up creating _ win, i don't believe it, you end up creating the — win, idon't believe it, you end up creating the story— win, i don't believe it, you end up creating the story should - win, i don't believe it, you end up creating the story should you - win, i don't believe it, you end up creating the story should you notl creating the story should you not win. _ creating the story should you not win. even — creating the story should you not win. even as _ creating the story should you not win, even as the _ creating the story should you not win, even as the election - creating the story should you not win, even as the election is - creating the story should you not i win, even as the election is coming through _ win, even as the election is coming through the — win, even as the election is coming through. the piece _ win, even as the election is coming through. the piece that— win, even as the election is coming through. the piece that concerns i win, even as the election is coming. through. the piece that concerns me as i through. the piece that concerns me as i look— through. the piece that concerns me as i look across _ through. the piece that concerns me as i look across the _ through. the piece that concerns me as i look across the country, - through. the piece that concerns me as i look across the country, as- through. the piece that concerns me as i look across the country, as i- as i look across the country, as i look— as i look across the country, as i look at _ as i look across the country, as i look at republican _ as i look across the country, as i look at republican leaders - as i look across the country, as ii look at republican leaders today, who is _ look at republican leaders today, who is going _ look at republican leaders today, who is going to— look at republican leaders today, who is going to stand _ look at republican leaders today, who is going to stand up - look at republican leaders today, who is going to stand up and - look at republican leaders today, who is going to stand up and say, this must— who is going to stand up and say, this must survive, _ who is going to stand up and say, this must survive, we _ who is going to stand up and say, this must survive, we must- who is going to stand up and say, i this must survive, we must believe in this— this must survive, we must believe in this election _ this must survive, we must believe in this election cycle? _ this must survive, we must believe in this election cycle? and - this must survive, we must believe in this election cycle? and when i this must survive, we must believe. in this election cycle? and when you do go _ in this election cycle? and when you do go to— in this election cycle? and when you do go to court — in this election cycle? and when you do go to court and you _ in this election cycle? and when you do go to court and you lose, - in this election cycle? and when you do go to court and you lose, at - in this election cycle? and when you | do go to court and you lose, at some point _ do go to court and you lose, at some point the _ do go to court and you lose, at some point the buck— do go to court and you lose, at some point the buck has _ do go to court and you lose, at some point the buck has to _ do go to court and you lose, at some point the buck has to stop. _ do go to court and you lose, at some point the buck has to stop. i- do go to court and you lose, at some point the buck has to stop. i will- point the buck has to stop. i will say. arizona _ point the buck has to stop. i will say. arizona is _ point the buck has to stop. i will say, arizona is a _ point the buck has to stop. i will say, arizona is a thorn _ point the buck has to stop. i will say, arizona is a thorn in- point the buck has to stop. i willi say, arizona is a thorn in trump's side. _ say, arizona is a thorn in trump's side. and — say, arizona is a thorn in trump's side. and that— say, arizona is a thorn in trump's side, and that is— say, arizona is a thorn in trump's side, and that is why— say, arizona is a thorn in trump's side, and that is why you - say, arizona is a thorn in trump's side, and that is why you are - say, arizona is a thorn in trump's. side, and that is why you are seeing him be _ side, and that is why you are seeing him be extremely— side, and that is why you are seeing him be extremely vocal— side, and that is why you are seeing him be extremely vocal about - side, and that is why you are seeingl him be extremely vocal about what's happening _ him be extremely vocal about what's happening in— him be extremely vocal about what's happening in arizona, _ him be extremely vocal about what's happening in arizona, because - him be extremely vocal about what's happening in arizona, because it's i happening in arizona, because it's the one _ happening in arizona, because it's the one that — happening in arizona, because it's the one that got _ happening in arizona, because it's the one that got away _ happening in arizona, because it's the one that got away and - happening in arizona, because it's the one that got away and that. happening in arizona, because it's - the one that got away and that makes me concerned — the one that got away and that makes me concerned. we _ the one that got away and that makes me concerned-— me concerned. we are getting news that republican _ me concerned. we are getting news that republican attorneys _ me concerned. we are getting news that republican attorneys have - me concerned. we are getting news. that republican attorneys have asked the state officials to extend voting times by three hours in maricopa county to 10pm local time, and to make sure anyone standing in line by 10pm is allowed to receive and cast their ballots, so it's not actually clear that people will be disenfranchised and not be able to vote, there is a bid to extend the voting times. look, i mean, we are talking about all of this, ron, simply because after the 2020 election, donald trump refused to accept the result. and it has now spread, when i was travelling around the country and i spent a month in june travelling around the united states, in arizona, georgia, wyoming, pennsylvania, person after person told me the same story we have just heard from mark fincham, they do not believe the 2020 election result was real, they believe it was fraudulent. i'm not sure even donald trump coming out now and saying the election was free and fair would change minds, because it has been put into the system and it has been put into the system and it is spreading across the country, it is spreading across the country, it started in 2022, and this election we are going to see that whole process of the eroding of trust in american democracy is going to take another leap forward. i to take another leap forward. i couldn't agree with you more, and as an officer of the court, i can tell you that you have to have integrity and believe in the integrity of the ballot box. but there is integrity. i totally agree with you. the president did such damage to democracy by spreading this lie, and here we are now two years on, and people still think the integrity of the ballot box isn't there but we know it was. not one court case has been proven that says, oh, we found that there was a problem at the ballot box. what does that tell you? that the election is working... iii that the election is working... if you ask an open question about the election. _ you ask an open question about the election, you know what you are telling _ election, you know what you are telling the — election, you know what you are telling the voters. you election, you know what you are telling the voters.— election, you know what you are telling the voters. you do, and you are seeing — telling the voters. you do, and you are seeing republican candidates i are seeing republican candidates following — are seeing republican candidates following the _ are seeing republican candidates following the same _ are seeing republican candidates following the same path, - are seeing republican candidates following the same path, it's - are seeing republican candidates following the same path, it's not| following the same path, it's not likely— following the same path, it's not likely this — following the same path, it's not likely this is _ following the same path, it's not likely this is being _ following the same path, it's not likely this is being corrected, - following the same path, it's not| likely this is being corrected, you are just _ likely this is being corrected, you are just seeing _ likely this is being corrected, you are just seeing more _ likely this is being corrected, you are just seeing more candidates. are just seeing more candidates following — are just seeing more candidates following the _ are just seeing more candidates following the same _ are just seeing more candidates following the same path - are just seeing more candidates following the same path and - are just seeing more candidates. following the same path and that are just seeing more candidates . following the same path and that is what is _ following the same path and that is what is concerning _ following the same path and that is what is concerning with _ following the same path and that is what is concerning with democracyl what is concerning with democracy i’ili'it what is concerning with democracy right now — what is concerning with democracy riaht now. , , ., right now. very quickly into the programme. — right now. very quickly into the programme, the _ right now. very quickly into the programme, the polls - right now. very quickly into the programme, the polls have - right now. very quickly into the programme, the polls have not right now. very quickly into the - programme, the polls have not closed across the us, and we are already talking about election security, voting officials expecting an unprecedented effort to litigate this election, it's already happening. this election, it's already happening-— this election, it's already happening. this election, it's already haueninu. ., ':::: ., , this election, it's already hauienin, ., 'iiii ., , ., happening. more than 100 lawsuit to challenae happening. more than 100 lawsuit to challenge aspects _ happening. more than 100 lawsuit to challenge aspects of _ happening. more than 100 lawsuit to challenge aspects of the _ happening. more than 100 lawsuit to challenge aspects of the 2022 - challenge aspects of the 2022 process, we have an election law expert to walk us through some of this, a professor at stanford law school. let's start with the battle we are watching closely tonight, the one in pennsylvania. a court case brought by the democratic candidate for senatorjohn fetterman. what for senator john fetterman. what concerns for senatorjohn fetterman. what concerns does he have about the ballot? . . . concerns does he have about the ballot? , , , ., ballot? the issue there is undated absentee ballots, _ ballot? the issue there is undated absentee ballots, so _ ballot? the issue there is undated absentee ballots, so the - absentee ballots, so the pennsylvania supreme court have said the ballots— pennsylvania supreme court have said the ballots have to be dated before election _ the ballots have to be dated before election day to count. what fetterman and others have argued, if they are _ fetterman and others have argued, if they are received by election day, who cares— they are received by election day, who cares if they don't have a date on them? — who cares if they don't have a date on them? because we know they were voted _ on them? because we know they were voted on _ on them? because we know they were voted on before the election, so that's— voted on before the election, so that's going to federal court where roughly— that's going to federal court where roughly 2000 ballots are at issue. we can— roughly 2000 ballots are at issue. we can see — roughly 2000 ballots are at issue. we can see on the right of the screen, voters in cleveland, ohio, another important race we are watching through the night. a senate seat race in ohio. when it comes to pennsylvania, look, everyone knows what the problems were in 2020. the problem was that the mail in ballots, predominantly democrat, were tipped into the voting machines late on the voting day, they have to be opened and unsealed and processed, and then they are counted, and it took until the saturday to get a definitive result. the republican legislature in pennsylvania surely could have sorted that out?— pennsylvania surely could have sorted that out? that's right, they could have — sorted that out? that's right, they could have done _ sorted that out? that's right, they could have done what _ sorted that out? that's right, they could have done what many - sorted that out? that's right, they could have done what many states sorted that out? that's right, they - could have done what many states do, counting of the ballots that are sentin counting of the ballots that are sent in by mail sometime before election day. they didn't pass a law like that. and actually it's even worse than you suggest because something that has happened in the last 2a hours, the philadelphia elections commission has basically voted that they need to reconcile the mail—in ballots, actually all of the mail—in ballots, actually all of the ballots, with the poll books. that is going to delay the results from philadelphia even more than the rest of pennsylvania so we could be in for a long few days watching the pennsylvania election results. i keep wanting to zoom out and try to make sense of this for our global audience, but one of the critical reasons to watch this midterm election, you could have officials elected into office, people like mark fincham, who we have just spoken to, the secretary of state in charge of the process of how the election is won and how the ballots are counted, we could have people elected to office who think there was flawed in 2020, so—called election deniers, how much would that complicate the process of holding a transparent election that both sides, winners and losers, could say, yes, this is fair, we accept the result? it could say, yes, this is fair, we accept the result?— could say, yes, this is fair, we accept the result? it is of great concern if _ accept the result? it is of great concern if you _ accept the result? it is of great concern if you have _ accept the result? it is of great concern if you have the - accept the result? it is of great concern if you have the chief i concern if you have the chief election officer of a state denying the integrity of the system that he or she is managing. i don't think we are there yet. one of the greatest curses of the american administration election results, and the blessing as well, decentralisation. there is only so much that an official can do because the power is decentralised to places like maricopa county and other county officials. i don't want to minimize their power, when push comes to shove, they can exercise discretion in ways that could really affect the experience of voters and the likelihood their votes will be counted. i want to just highlight that this has been an extremely smoothly run election so far. the problems we are seeing, the ones you highlighted in maricopa county, leading to extensions of voting hours around the country right now, thatis hours around the country right now, that is very typical of an election, with a high turnout. election officials dealing with over 100 million pieces of paper, you would expect some glitches here and there, but so far no big problems that would put the result in doubt. that is very worth _ would put the result in doubt. that is very worth saying, thank you for joining us. we have james clayton in wisconsin, what can we expect in wisconsin, what can we expect in wisconsin tonight?— wisconsin, what can we expect in wisconsin tonight? there is a really close senate _ wisconsin tonight? there is a really close senate race _ wisconsin tonight? there is a really close senate race here, _ wisconsin tonight? there is a really close senate race here, leon - wisconsin tonight? there is a really i close senate race here, leon johnson close senate race here, leonjohnson has been a republican senator for 12 years, againstan has been a republican senator for 12 years, against an upstart democrat who would be the first black senator here. on the streets today, everyone was talking about inflation hurting business and pay, however it's very difficult to find people, in milwaukee anyway, who blamed joe biden for that. republicans think crime will land much better in places like milwaukee, where we are now, there has been a huge spike in the murder rate and they think that plays very well on the doorstep. but democrats say part of the reason for the spike in crime is because republicans relaxed gun laws. the big curveball here is roe vs wade, they don't know what impact that will have. , . . they don't know what impact that will have. , ., , ._ ., they don't know what impact that will have. , ., , ., ., ,, they don't know what impact that will have. , . . ., ., ~' will have. james clayton, thank you, in wisconsin- — will have. james clayton, thank you, in wisconsin. we _ will have. james clayton, thank you, in wisconsin. we will— will have. james clayton, thank you, in wisconsin. we will keep _ will have. james clayton, thank you, in wisconsin. we will keep an - will have. james clayton, thank you, in wisconsin. we will keep an eye i will have. james clayton, thank you, j in wisconsin. we will keep an eye on that race during the course of the night. that race during the course of the niuht. ,., ., that race during the course of the niuht. ., . , night. important race in wisconsin toniuht, night. important race in wisconsin tonight. not _ night. important race in wisconsin tonight. notjust _ night. important race in wisconsin tonight, notjust the _ night. important race in wisconsin tonight, notjust the senate - night. important race in wisconsin tonight, notjust the senate race i tonight, notjust the senate race but the — tonight, notjust the senate race but the governors race as well. governors _ but the governors race as well. governors have an awful it's midnight in the uk — and seven o'clock in the evening in washington dc — the first polls have closed in the us midterm elections. they've shut in indiana, kentucky, south carolina, vermont, virginia, and in the key state of georgia. we were hearing from gary o'donoghue earlier. votes are now being counted and we'll be live in atlanta as we wait for clues on which way the state's important races will swing. and we will look closely at virginia because what we are looking for tonight is some evidence of this red wave that republicans are hoping for and there are three key home states which i will show you on the screen. they mightjust give us an indication of where this is going. i an indication of where this is anoin. ~ an indication of where this is main, ~' ., �* , going. i think that's the important _ going. i think that's the important thing - going. i think that's the important thing for - going. i think that's the important thing for us i going. i think that's the | important thing for us to going. i think that's the - important thing for us to give you as you're watching this and trying to figure out if it is the republicans will have a good night or is it the