For anyone who needs to hear it (a thread):

WE NEVER HAVE AN OFFICIAL WINNER ON ELECTION DAY.

The media project who winner will (might?) be when all the ballots are counted--but ALL OF THE BALLOTS NEED TO BE COUNTED.

Just like we do, every election.

Some places allow for the ballots to be processed, scanned, & counted (but not tallied) before Election Day.
In those states we will have large numbers of votes when the results hit on election night.
Be the first to count--VOTE EARLY.

Nothing new. From Maricopa County, AZ 2008:

Ballots dropped off at the polls SHOULD COUNT--there are usually A LOT of them in states where voters can do that.
Just like the almost 100K in Maricopa County, AZ in 2008

It is nothing new to notify voters if there are issues with their ballots, it doesn't just come into play in a Presidential Election.
Maricopa County, AZ 2010 Midterm:

IT ALWAYS TAKES TIME TO PROCESS BALLOTS!
Provisional ballot processing 2010

Yes, we have a global pandemic. But plans can be sidetracked for many reasons.
Return your ballot now--get them postmarked if your state allows that, use an official drop box.
Leave nothing to chance...
2012:

Not voting the ballot you got in the mail means a provisional ballot in many states--those are processed and counted after Election Day.
It takes time.
Every election.
Maricopa County, AZ 2012:

Know what else takes time?
Using a crayon to mark the ballot. Or a highlighter. Or something other than blue or black ink pen.
Your vote still counts, but after it is duplicated so that it can actually be tabulated.
This takes time.
Maricopa County, AZ 2012:

Every election, every time.
AZ, 2018:

So, when you hear anyone saying that
we have ALWAYS known winners on election night,
know they are WRONG.

When you hear anyone saying that
we HAVE to know on election night,
know they are WRONG.

We haven't had official winners on election night.
We won't this year either.