On Tuesday, tens of millions of voters will step into ballot booths across the United States.
But the results of the election – including whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump will be the next president – will not be official until votes are counted and verified, which could take days to fully complete.
In the battleground states expected to decide the election’s winner, the process will be highly scrutinized. Trump is already questioning the trustworthiness of many of their voting processes and in 2020 he challenged the results of many of their votes in court. Here is what to know about voting in 2024.
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When does vote counting begin and how long will it take?
The first polls will begin closing at 18:00 EST (23:00 BST) on Tuesday, but counting votes will extend far beyond then. In most cases, it can take weeks to reach an official tally, partly because of state rules.
For example, in two battleground states – Pennsylvania and Wisconsin – election workers are not allowed to begin processing mailed-in ballots until election day. That is expected to slow the counting greatly.
It’s important to note that news organisations use unofficial results and projections when they announce winners on election night or the following days, instead of waiting for the final and official count.
Who does the counting?
Counting, too, varies from location to location and depends on equipment used. Some counties “feed” ballots into optical scanners, while others may use touch-screen systems or ballot-marking devices to record votes. The scanners are the most common. They tabulate results, which are then manually recounted and double-checked by hand.
- Early and Mail-In Ballots
Many states allow early voting and mail-in ballots, which have become increasingly popular. These ballots are typically processed first. In some states, officials can start processing (but not counting) mail-in ballots before Election Day, which helps speed up the counting process. In other states, like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, counting mail-in ballots starts only on Election Day, which can lead to longer wait times for results.
- In-Person Votes on Election Day
When voters cast ballots in person on Election Day, those ballots are often counted first, as machines scan and record the votes instantly. Once polls close, the data from each voting machine is sent to a central location where the votes are tallied.
- Provisional Ballots
Provisional ballots are used if there’s a question about a voter’s eligibility, such as issues with registration or identification. These ballots require verification before they’re counted, which can take several days to resolve.
- Counting and Reporting Process
Counting takes place at local election offices and follows strict procedures to ensure accuracy. Election workers double-check tallies and perform quality control measures to catch any errors. Initial results are often reported on election night, but these numbers are usually unofficial and may change as more ballots are counted.
- Certification of Results
Once all votes are counted, the results go through a certification process. This involves verifying totals, checking for any discrepancies, and sometimes conducting audits. In most states, final certification happens a week or two after Election Day, though recounts or legal challenges could delay the process in very close races.
- Safeguards Against Errors
To ensure accuracy, many states use a mix of paper ballots and electronic machines with a paper trail. This allows for audits and recounts if necessary. Additionally, poll watchers and bipartisan teams often monitor the counting process to ensure fairness.
From early voting through final certification, every step in the U.S. election counting process is designed to uphold accuracy and transparency, so that every vote is counted and verified before results are official.
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