By October 31st, over 22 million people had cast early votes for the 2016 presidential election. In some states, like Texas and California, the number of early votes was up substantially from 2012. Despite a rise in the number of early votes cast, early returns from the November 8th election suggested turnout was actually at a low, with some outlets reporting that voter turnout was nearly the lowest it had been in a presidential election in 20 years.

As election 2016 outcomes become clearer and vote totals finalize, we can begin to assess the impact that vote-splitting had on various U.S. Senate races and the presidential contest in states. As the fight for control of the Senate played out, it looks as though six Senate races will be won without a majority of the vote.

As of tonight, Washington has experienced its 5th cycle using the Top Two system. While most of the races featured familiar Democratic-Republican match-ups, three others stand-out: a couple of intraparty congressional races (one with two Democrats, and the other with two Republicans) that are the hallmark exhibits of the opportunities Top Two affords; and a state executive race that showcases the potential for misfires. We consider their implications below.

The patterns that are emerging based on the reported votes from states that have been the earliest to close their polls, relative to those states’ partisanship, may offer early indications of where the popular vote will wind up nationally.

Results are coming in from Wisconsin, and they demonstrate how much Wisconsin stands as an example of the unfair partisan skew in congressional and legislative elections. This may help make the case for a lawsuit working its way through federal court, arguing that Wisconsin's gerrymandered districts violate the U.S. Constitution.

With the polls closing just minutes ago, it is clear that the Senate will keep yet another supporter of ranked choice voting on its member rolls. Sen. McCain (R-Arizona), who has maintained a strong lead over challenger Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Arizona) in the final few months of this election, confirmed his victory by a clear margin.

U.S. House results in Oklahoma tonight came as a surprise to few.

News outlets are now calling Georgia’s Senate race for Republican incumbent Johnny Isakson, who will be elected to his third term as Georgia’s Senior Senator. Isakson has defeated both Democrat Jim Barksdale and Libertarian Allen Buckley. There was a time earlier in the campaign where the result was not so clear-cut, and Georgia may have had to conduct a statewide runoff election for Senator due to the majority vote requirement enshrined in their constitution for all public offices.