An ABC affiliate’s unexpected broadcast of election results for Pennsylvania has ignited a flurry of conspiracy theories.
During Sunday’s airing of the Formula 1 Mexico Grand Prix by WNEP-TV, an ABC local station, a ticker at the screen’s bottom flashed a scenario where Kamala Harris secured 52% of the votes, leaving Donald Trump with 47%.
Social media erupted with allegations of electoral manipulation. “Oops!!! ABC somehow has the final results of the election in Pennsylvania, but there isn’t any cheating, and the media isn’t biased or anything,” conservative actor James Woods tweeted.
Oops!!! ABC somehow has the final results of the election in Pennsylvania, but there isn’t any cheating, and the media isn’t biased or anything. pic.twitter.com/C56NACylUB
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) October 31, 2024
“Ask yourself why ABC put up 2024 election results today showing a Kamala victory.. They called it a test…” another wrote.
WNEP-TV quickly clarified, explaining that the figures were displayed as and “error” and were part of a pre-election test, using randomly generated numbers to ensure equipment readiness for November 5.
In their statement, the broadcaster clarified, “Those numbers should not have appeared on the screen, and it was an error by WNEP that they did.”
“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,” the statement elaborated.
Pennsylvania law restricts the handling of mail-in ballots until 7 a.m. on Election Day, and no votes are counted until the polls close at 8 p.m.
“WNEP regrets the error and apologizes for any confusion. We have taken steps to ensure that it does not happen again,” the statement concluded.
