A Pennsylvania TV station made headlines and sparked outrage by mistakenly airing “test” election results days before Election Day. Viewers in Scranton watching Formula 1 on WNEP-TV were surprised to see an election ticker appear, showing Vice President Kamala Harris leading former President Donald Trump by a margin of 52% to 47% in Pennsylvania. The error led to swift backlash and concerns over election integrity, with critics questioning the timing of the incident, especially in a state where voter turnout has been strong among Republicans.
The timing of the blunder raised eyebrows as GOP voters have been showing up in larger numbers for early voting than in 2020, giving Republicans a more optimistic outlook as the election nears. Pennsylvania, a key battleground state, is seen as crucial for both candidates, and polling has shown a tight race leading up to November 5. The station’s accidental broadcast of mock results fueled concerns, especially considering similar incidents involving test results broadcast in past elections.
Footage of the error was shared widely on social media, where users questioned the credibility of the results and pointed to a recurring pattern in “mistaken” broadcasts of test results. In a video clip posted by user @PrisonElvis on X (formerly Twitter), the test results for Harris and Trump’s contest were broadcast as if they were final, leading many to voice suspicions about how these results were chosen. Some expressed outrage that the incident occurred during a high-profile sporting event, which they noted could attract a large Republican viewership.
WNEP Scranton PA already has the election results posted. @elonmusk @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/eWR1oABWbK
— PrisonElvis (@elivislives) October 27, 2024
In response to the incident, WNEP issued a statement explaining that the numbers aired were part of a routine test meant to ensure that their equipment and broadcasting systems function smoothly for Election Night coverage. “Test results for the upcoming November 5 general election mistakenly appeared on WNEP-TV early Sunday evening during a broadcast of the Formula 1 Mexico Grand Prix,” the statement read. “Those numbers should not have appeared on the screen, and it was an error by WNEP that they did.”
The statement further clarified that these were randomly generated results, not actual polling data, and that the mistake had no bearing on the upcoming election outcome. “The numbers seen on the screen were randomly generated test results sent out to help news organizations make sure their equipment is working properly in advance of election night,” WNEP explained. The station expressed regret over the error and reassured viewers that steps were being taken to prevent similar mishaps in the future.
The incident in Pennsylvania reminded many of a similar situation in Arizona during the 2022 gubernatorial race. A local station there displayed results showing Democrat Katie Hobbs leading Republican Kari Lake, even though the election was still 12 days away. That error also drew significant criticism, with viewers expressing frustration over what they saw as an unusual trend in pre-election errors consistently showing Democratic candidates ahead.
In response to these incidents, some analysts have called for greater transparency in how test data is generated and shared, particularly by media outlets covering elections. They argue that even if these mistakes are unintentional, they can erode public confidence in the voting process by creating the impression of predetermined outcomes. Critics of the WNEP mishap suggest that additional oversight may be necessary to ensure these results are kept off the air before polls have closed and votes are counted.
Pennsylvania has been a focal point in the 2024 race. The Keystone State has one of the highest electoral vote counts in the country, making it a critical battleground. Both parties have invested heavily in outreach efforts there, with candidates holding numerous rallies and making frequent campaign stops. Polls in the state have been consistently close, with some surveys showing a slight lead for Trump and others indicating Harris has a narrow edge.
Republican voters in Pennsylvania have reportedly turned out for early voting in greater numbers than in 2020, when the GOP traditionally relied more heavily on Election Day voting. This year, however, the party has pushed early voting as a strategy to build momentum, narrowing the Democrats’ early voting lead in the state. As a result, the state’s GOP voters have been increasingly optimistic about the upcoming election outcome, despite a historically challenging landscape.
The early airing of mock results may serve as a flashpoint in the debate over election integrity. Critics argue that such errors contribute to a perception of bias or manipulation, regardless of intent. As Election Day draws nearer, election officials and media outlets face growing scrutiny from voters and advocacy groups alike, who call for increased transparency and accuracy in reporting practices.
Experts on election integrity stress the importance of ensuring that all reporting around election results is handled with extreme caution to avoid further fueling mistrust in the system. Federal and state election officials, including those from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), emphasize the need for media outlets to work closely with election boards to ensure broadcast security measures are strictly followed, particularly when tests are involved.
WNEP’s error, though explained as a technical oversight, serves as a reminder of the stakes in closely watched elections and highlights the need for rigorous practices in reporting election results. With Pennsylvania voters and political stakeholders paying close attention, media outlets across the country are likely to review and tighten protocols for Election Night to prevent similar issues from casting doubt on the election’s integrity.