 "A voter casts a ballot on Election Day at the Church of Our Savior in the Mount Auburn neighbourhood of Cincinnati. AP")
It’s Election Day in the United States and people are braving the cold and the rain to cast their ballot and decide between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
So far, voting has ended in a handful of states with the media already declaring the results for a few. As of now, Harris has become the latest Democrat to win Vermont, a party stronghold. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has won Indiana and Kentucky, both red states. The Associated Press (AP) has called Oklahoma, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee for Donald Trump, and Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut for Kamala Harris.
Notably, this year’s US election has involved familiar elements: a mix of in-person, mail-in, overseas, and provisional ballots, along with ongoing vigilance against misinformation about the election’s legitimacy.
As counting continues, here’s a better understanding of how votes are accurately counted and verified.
What to expect on November 5 & Election Night
On Election Day, polls across the country will close at different times, after which the initial counting begins. According to US election protocol, early results published on election night are provisional, reflecting only a portion of total votes cast.
These results will be updated as additional ballots, including mail-in and provisional ones, are processed.
Since each state has specific rules about when and how various ballots are counted, election results will unfold in stages over the following hours and days.
For instance, while some states can start processing mail-in ballots before Election Day, others wait until the day itself.
Ballots from overseas military personnel, particularly those serving in remote areas, are often accepted if postmarked by Election Day, allowing them to arrive later. For example, Washington state will include overseas military ballots received within 20 days post-election, provided they were sent before polls closed.
How are ballots in the US counted?
What is the role of local election officials?
The vote-counting process in US elections is conducted by approximately 7,000-10,000 local election officials nationwide. These officials, either elected or appointed, come from diverse backgrounds and prioritise nonpartisan commitment to the democratic process.
As Adrian Fontes, an election official in Maricopa County, Arizona, told Vox media, “We’re citizens very concerned with the health of our democracy, and we act in about as bipartisan or nonpartisan a way as anybody could.”
Observers from each major political party are permitted to monitor vote counting, and states have rules for how and when they can intervene if issues arise. The integrity of the election process depends on these individuals’ commitment and the transparency of the process, allowing both public and partisan oversight.
What is the step-by-step ballot process?
The vote-counting process begins with election officials verifying all ballots. Election Day ballots are generally counted first, followed by early votes and mail-in ballots.
Challenged ballots (those with issues around voter eligibility) and overseas and provisional ballots are processed last.
Verification: Each precinct and early voting location confirms the number of voters and ballots available. Any discrepancies are investigated, documented, and resolved before forwarding them to the Canvass Board for review.
Mail-In ballots: Officials ensure that each mail-in ballot is from a registered voter, was not duplicated, and is in its designated envelope. Signatures on mail-in ballots are compared with those on record, and any inconsistency is investigated. Utah’s process, for example, includes closed-envelope verification to protect voter anonymity.
Canvassing and Tabulation: Mail-in ballots, once verified, are typically scanned to record votes. In cases where the ballot has damage, such as stains or tears, election staff duplicate the vote onto a clean ballot to ensure accurate machine reading. These ballots are marked, tracked, and stored under strict supervision.
How are election results in the US certified?
The initial results reported by media on election night are provisional. Finalising and certifying results takes days or even weeks, depending on the state’s rules. Each step is carefully documented and monitored by bipartisan observers to ensure accuracy.
In most cases, results are certified once the Canvass Board reviews all ballots and confirms the tally, including information on rejected and provisional ballots. This process takes time and is critical to preventing errors in the final outcome.
In many elections, preliminary results are accurate enough to project winners confidently, but close contests may trigger a recount to confirm the results.
What challenges and risks are faced by the certification process in the US?
Since 2020, contested certifications have raised concerns. During the 2020 election, for instance, 17 county officials across six swing states tried unsuccessfully to prevent certification due to unverified claims of fraud.
The trend continued in 2022, with a nearly 30 per cent increase in delays at the county level in battleground states. In the first eight months of 2024, eight county officials have already delayed certification for special or primary elections, signalling the potential for similar disruptions this November.
If a county election board refuses to certify results, state certification can stall, delaying the official outcome. For example, in states like Arizona, Nevada, and Michigan, county boards consist of a mix of appointed and elected officials.
Also Read: Ballot boxes destroyed in US days before Election Day
When these boards refuse to certify results, court interventions or substitute certifications by state officials can be necessary to finalise counts.
Statewide certification ultimately rests on receiving certified tallies from all counties. In Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, the secretary of state is responsible for statewide certification.
Other states use a combination of officials like the governor and state supreme court justices. Legal measures — such as writs of mandamus or court orders — can be taken if an official refuses to certify results, though certification delays can increase uncertainty.
What about allegations around voter fraud?
Voter fraud remains extremely rare in the United States. The election process includes extensive verification steps designed to prevent fraudulent votes from entering the system.
US Election Assistance Commission (EAC) data reveals that isolated cases of fraud have minimal impact on election outcomes. Election officials regularly review each ballot to confirm its validity, ensuring votes cast by deceased individuals or fictional identities are removed from the final count.
Also Read: How claims of rigged voting machines in the US have left voters sceptical
To discourage fraud, federal law imposes severe penalties for violations, including fines and up to five years in prison. Cases of attempted fraud are investigated, and votes are invalidated if deemed illegitimate.
In the rare of cases of someone stealing a deceased person’s identity to vote, the vote would be invalidated, and the perpetrator prosecuted.
What about recounts?
While election results typically remain consistent through rigourous counting procedures, close races may lead to recounts.
Recounts are especially significant in state-level or tightly contested races, with notable examples including Al Franken’s 2008 Minnesota Senate win after a recount and Christine Gregoire’s victory in Washington’s 2004 gubernatorial race. However, recounts rarely alter results by more than a few hundred votes, underlining the accuracy of initial counts.
On Election Day and beyond, the US election system’s integrity is protected by a carefully orchestrated sequence of verification, counting, canvassing, and certification.
When will the final result of the 2024 US presidential election be announced?
Election night results, as well as updates the following day and even in the weeks after, are all considered preliminary. Finalising and certifying election results typically takes days to weeks, depending on ballot volume and verification requirements in each state.
Only after every ballot is carefully processed, and any discrepancies resolved, can election officials certify the results.
For presidential elections, a joint session of Congress is required to officially count the Electoral College votes, ultimately declaring the president and vice president. This process ensures accuracy but can be time-intensive, as seen in past elections.
For example, the 2020 presidential election took weeks to certify in several states due to high numbers of mail-in ballots.
Here is a timeline of the electoral process for the 2024 US presidential election:
November 5, 2024 – Election Day
- Voters cast ballots, which determine which candidate will receive their state’s electoral votes. States appoint electors based on popular vote outcomes, selecting members of the winning party to act as electors.
By December 11, 2024 – States issue certificates of ascertainment
- Each state certifies the results and prepares seven Certificates of Ascertainment. One is sent to the US Archivist.
December 17, 2024 – Electors vote in each state
- Electors meet and vote for President and Vice President on separate ballots. Votes are recorded on six Certificates of Vote and combined with Certificates of Ascertainment.
December 25, 2024 – Electoral votes arrive in Washington, DC
- Electoral votes must reach the President of the Senate and the Archivist by this date. Any lost or delayed votes can prompt extraordinary measures to retrieve them.
On or Before January 3, 2025 – Certificates transferred to Congress
- The Archivist provides sets of Certificates to Congress as needed, just before Congress convenes.
January 6, 2025 – Congress counts the electoral votes
Congress meets to count electoral votes in a joint session. The Vice President announces the results.
If objections arise, Congress reviews them separately by House and Senate, following federal procedures.
If no candidate wins the majority (270), the House decides the Presidential election, and the Senate decides the Vice Presidential election.
January 20, 2025 at Noon – Inauguration Day
The United States President-elect and Vice President-elect take the Oath of Office, officially beginning their terms.
With inputs from agencies