There is no constitutional or other legal provision guaranteeing the declaration of a presidential victor on election night. It has, however, become a privilege and expectation. Knowing the results inspires confidence, even if the result of the results is a recount or litigation.

The Trump campaign suggests there is cheating going on in both Michigan and Pennsylvania — which seems like an unjustifiable claim at this juncture, but the reason President Trump’s team has ground to raise suspicion is because the two states are such heated battlegrounds and counting has been so slow.