Number: RS20762
Title: ELECTION PROJECTIONS: FIRST AMENDMENT ISSUES
Authors: Henry Cohen, American Law Division 
Abstract: Media projections may be based both on exit polls and on information acquired as to actual ballot counts completed up to the time of the projections. The First Amendment would preclude Congress from prohibiting the media from interviewing voters after they exit the polls. It apparently would also preclude Congress from prohibiting the media from reporting the results of those polls. Congress, therefore, apparently could not band media projections outright. It seems more likely, but by no means certain, that Congress could deny media access to unfinished ballot counts.
Pages: 5
Date: Updated January 23, 2001