What happens after a vote is cast?[edit]

At Ballotpedia, we've seen increased interest in how elections are conducted. For this month's topic, let's walk through a general outline of the process once polls are closed. Keep in mind that each state sets its own rules for how elections are conducted so we'll keep it pretty general.

Following polls closing:

• County election offices are responsible for counting ballots and reporting those totals to state election agencies.
  • Some states can begin processing and counting ballots earlier than others but by the time polls close, all ballots across the 50 states can begin to be counted.
• Based on initial results, major media outlets often project the winner of an election will be.
• Election results are finalized through processes called canvassing and certification. The deadline by which election results must be finalized is set in state law. Deadlines can start as early as the week of the election up and run until early December.
• Results can change through the recount process. Recounts in most states are conducted to either verify or overturn election results. If the recount verifies the original election outcome, the initial winner remains the winner. If the recount overturns the original outcome, a new candidate may be declared the winner.
• Once votes are certified, elected officials are sworn into office based on a state specific timeline.

Learn more in the Ballotpedia Election Help Desk.