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URLhttps://www.eac.gov/election-officials/election-results-canvass-and-certification
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Meta TitleElection Results, Canvass, and Certification | U.S. Election Assistance Commission
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Have you ever wondered what happens to your ballot after you get your I Voted Sticker? After the polls close, ballots and electronic vote records are securely transferred to the elections office. Election officials make election results public as quickly as possible. However, even when those results say “100% Precincts Reporting,” they are still unofficial.  The process of reporting, canvassing, and certifying election results takes a great deal of work. This page contains information about how election results change from unofficial to official as well as best practices and resources to help election officials communicate this essential process to voters. While detailed information about post-election audit processes is not included here, more information about audits can be found in the EAC report Election Audits Across the United States .   Additionally, election officials can use the Communicating Election and Post-Election Processes Toolkit to create educational materials about pre- and post-election processes that observers and the public can understand. Election officials in any size jurisdiction can adapt this toolkit to fit their observer and voter education needs. Election Results Reporting Canvass  Certification  State and Local Best Practices   The election results reported on election night are never the final, certified results. Election officials well know there are various other steps and factors that impact when election results are final. Communicating that information with the public can be a challenge. Voters look to election officials for trusted information about election results. How election officials display election results can play a key role in facilitating public confidence in election outcomes.    Election officials can use the Checklist for Securing Election Night Results Reporting as a baseline to assess their current Election Night Reporting cybersecurity protocols. These protocols would be in addition to other physical and administrative procedures election officials implement to ensure data reliability, including documented chain of custody, data verification procedures, and using certified technology to tabulate vote totals.  Checklist for Securing Election Night Results Reporting To help communicate the nuances of this process,the resources below help provide context when voters are viewing election results online.  Best Practices: Election Results Reporting Poster Format Presentation Format Leading up to the 2020 general election, the EAC hosted a discussion on preparing for election night reporting and press coverage on election results. Speakers offered remarks on issues surrounding misinformation and disinformation, unofficial results, managing expectations, ballots received after the election, and audits. Joining the EAC Commissioners were New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate; Brian Carovillano, Vice President and Managing Editor of the Associated Press; and Nate Persily, Professor of Law, Stanford Law School. Watch a recording of the event below. The canvass is a culmination of all the data generated during an election cycle. More importantly, it is a process that allows election officials to confirm the accuracy of election data and identify areas for improvement. The canvass process aggregates and confirms every valid ballot cast and counted, including mail, uniformed and overseas citizen, early voting, Election Day, and provisional ballots.  Election officials can find information about the canvass process in the best practices guide below, Guide to the Canvass . This document includes best practices for conducting post-election canvasses, including checklists for key parts of the canvass.  Guide to the Canvass  Voters may have questions about the canvass process, and how this process ensures that election results are both secure and accurate. The resources below are intended to help election officials explain this process to their voters.  Election Certification Election certification refers to the process of election officials attesting that the election results are a true and accurate accounting of all votes cast in a particular election. Importantly, the results reported on election night are not final even though the media may call the projected winner of races. Only election officials provide official election results. There are several steps election officials complete before they certify final election results. The figure below outlines the typical processes election officials perform before final, official results are certified. Not all jurisdictions follow each procedure outlined, or they may conduct them in a different order. Unofficial results are published after the polls close on election night and continue to be released until all ballots are counted. Election results are unofficial until they are certified.  During the canvass, election officials reconcile the number of mail, early, and election day ballots cast with the number of voters. The purpose of the canvass is to make sure that every valid vote is included in the final results. Most states require a post-election audit to verify voting equipment used during an election correctly counted votes. The timing and method of post-election audits differ among states.  Election officials issue a written statement of certification attesting that the election results are a true and accurate accounting of all votes cast in a particular election.  Impact of Recounts In addition to the steps included above, recounts may impact the timeline for final election certification depending on state law. For example, New Hampshire law specifies that state certification takes place after the deadline for a recount has expired. Similarly, in West Virginia, counties must certify results within 30 days of the election or, if there is a recount, within 30 days of completing the recount. A recount typically includes an additional count of votes cast to make sure the ballots were counted accurately. Each state has its own laws regarding the process for initiating a recount. Typically, recounts are initiated in one of the following ways: A candidate for office requests a recount A voter who participated in the election requests a recount The vote margin falls within a legally required recount threshold A judge issues a court order to recount a contest For requested recounts, state law may require the requestor to pay a set fee or the cost of the recount. Although no federal uniform statutory timeline exists for recounts, any recount would need to be resolved before statutory deadlines for transmission of certificates of ascertainment containing the names of the presidential electors and other candidates taking office.  Who certifies election results and when?  When polls close, local election officials will report unofficial election results to the public and if it is a state or federal election to their respective states. State election offices will aggregate data and report unofficial results for State and Federal offices, including President and Vice President. Then, after every valid vote has been included in the final results, and all required processes have been completed, the election results will be certified.  Certification of election results at both the local and state level varies between states and sometimes even between local jurisdictions within a state depending on the contest being certified. Localities may have a multi-member board or a single elected election official, like a county auditor or municipal clerk, who certify results. At the state level, results may be certified by a single elected official (for example the Secretary of State or Governor), the state legislative body, an appointed election director, or by a multi-member board. Certifying a presidential election involves an additional set of deadlines and players—namely, electors. When voters cast their votes for President and Vice President, they are choosing a slate of electors to send to the Electoral College . Several states have a different timeline for the certification of the presidential race versus other Federal offices due to deadlines associated with the Electoral College.   The following table provides an estimated certification timeline for each state’s local and state election officials to certify the 2024 general election results for federal offices. Estimated dates are for general informational purposes only. In the event a jurisdiction must recount a contest, it may impact the certification deadline. State and local election officials are the authorities on election certification dates.  Jurisdiction  Local Certification Deadline  State Certification Deadline  Notes Alabama (link is external) November 15 November 27   Alaska (link is external)   November 30 State deadline is the target deadline of the Alaska Division of Elections Arizona (link is external) November 21 December 2 State deadline is the deadline to issue certificates. November 25 is the state canvass deadline. Arkansas (link is external) November 13 (presidential electors) November 20 (other federal offices) November 30 (presidential electors) December 20 (other federal offices)   California (link is external) December 5 December 7 (presidential electors) December 13 (other federal offices)   Colorado (link is external) November 27 December 2   Connecticut (link is external) November 8 November 27   Delaware (link is external) November 7 November 7   District of Columbia (link is external)   December 2 Tentative deadline Florida (link is external) November 18 November 19   Georgia (link is external) November 12 November 22 (other federal offices) November 23 (presidential electors)   Hawaii (link is external) November 25 November 25 (other federal offices) November 30 (presidential electors)   Idaho (link is external) November 15 November 26   Illinois (link is external) November 26 December 6   Indiana (link is external) November 18 November 18 (other federal offices) November 26 (presidential electors) State deadlines for Election Division to tabulate results Iowa (link is external) November 18 December 2   Kansas (link is external) November 19 December 2 State deadline for State Board of Canvassers to meet Kentucky (link is external) November 8 November 25   Louisiana (link is external) November 11 November 21 State final results publication date. Maine (link is external) November 7 November 25   Maryland (link is external) November 15 December 5   Massachusetts (link is external) November 20 November 30   Michigan (link is external) November 19 November 25 Michigan law permits an expedited canvass if unofficial returns show presidential results are within 25,000 votes Minnesota (link is external) November 13 November 21 State deadline for state canvass to begin Mississippi (link is external) November 15 December 6   Missouri (link is external) November 15 November 20 (presidential electors) December 10 (other federal offices)   Montana (link is external) November 19 November 26   Nebraska (link is external) November 25 December 2   Nevada (link is external) November 15 November 26   New Hampshire (link is external) November 6 December 4 State deadline is the date the Governor will issue certificates of election. New Jersey (link is external) November 25 December 5   New Mexico (link is external) November 15 (counties with fewer than 150,000 voters) November 18 (counties with over 150,000 voters) November 26 State deadline to declare results with certificates issued by December 6 New York (link is external) November 30 December 9   North Carolina (link is external) November 15 November 26 State certification meeting date North Dakota (link is external) November 18 November 22   Ohio (link is external) November 26 December 6 Local certification is expected to be complete by November 20 per Ohio Secretary of State directive. Oklahoma (link is external) November 8 November 12   Oregon (link is external) November 25 December 12 State deadline to issue Certificates of Ascertainment is December 11 Pennsylvania (link is external) November 25 Not Specified   Rhode Island (link is external) Not Specified Not Specified   South Carolina (link is external) November 8 November 14   South Dakota (link is external) November 11 November 12 State deadline for state canvassers to meet Tennessee (link is external) November 25 November 25   Texas (link is external) November 19 December 8   Utah (link is external) November 19 November 25 State deadline for state canvassers to meet Vermont (link is external) November 7 November 12 State deadline for state canvassers to meet Virginia (link is external) November 15 December 2   Washington (link is external) November 26 December 5   West Virginia (link is external) December 5 December 5   Wisconsin (link is external) November 19 December 1   Wyoming (link is external) November 8 November 13   California  Yolo County  Harnessing Technology to Improve Polling Place Resources and Response Time, Strengthen Voter Communications, and Increase Future Turnout which has streamlined election night reporting and improve voter participation.  In 2018, the county harnessed GIS Systems and Mapping, along with a new poll worker app, to streamline election night reporting and improve voter participation. The Elections Office partnered with the county’s Information Technology division of the General Services Department to attain several innovative successes. The effort resulted in improved resource allocation, greater response time to polling places, strengthened communication of election results to citizens, and the likelihood of increasing future turnout through targeted outreach and education.  https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/yolo-county-elections-office-ca-2019-clearinghouse-award-winner   North Carolina  Durham County  Wait-Time Tracker for Early Voting  This innovative app allowed voters to locate polling places closest to them, view voting information, and see current polling place wait times. Users could also find bus routes or get GPS directions. The results from using this application were extremely positive for both election workers and voters. In the 2020 General Election, over 48% of registered voters in Durham County chose to vote early. This new service helped to alleviate crowds at busy polling places by offering alternatives, provided voters with streamlined real-time information, and fostered staffing needs for early in-person locations.    https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/durham-county-board-elections-nc-2020-clearinghouse-award-winner   Utah   Utah County  GIS Solutions  The Elections Division and GIS Department in Utah County collaborated on the use of GIS software to improve ballot security, public accountability, office efficiency, and real-time reporting and technology. Three major solutions were developed: a public-facing election results map, a secure dropbox ballot tracker dashboard, and a public-facing real-time ballot workflow dashboard system. These efforts accelerated the ballot counting process, increased security of dropbox information, provided data analysis to improve future elections, and reduced bottom-line costs.  https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/utah-county-elections-division-and-gis-department-ut-2020-clearinghouse-award  
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") [Congressional Affairs](https://www.eac.gov/about-eac/congressional-affairs) [Help America Vote Act](https://www.eac.gov/about_the_eac/help_america_vote_act.aspx) [Careers](https://www.eac.gov/about-eac/careers "Learn how to become a part of our EAC staff.") [Office of Inspector General](https://www.eac.gov/inspector-general) [Contact U.S. EAC](https://www.eac.gov/contactuseac) [About the EAC](https://www.eac.gov/about) ## Breadcrumb 1. [EAC Home](https://www.eac.gov/) 2. [Clearinghouse Resources For Election Officials](https://www.eac.gov/election-officials) 3. Election Results, Canvass, and Certification # Election Results, Canvass, and Certification Tuesday, December 23, 2025 [Share](https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eac.gov%2Felection-officials%2Felection-results-canvass-and-certification&title=Election%20Results%2C%20Canvass%2C%20and%20Certification) Have you ever wondered what happens to your ballot after you get your I Voted Sticker? After the polls close, ballots and electronic vote records are securely transferred to the elections office. Election officials make election results public as quickly as possible. However, even when those results say “100% Precincts Reporting,” they are still unofficial. The process of reporting, canvassing, and certifying election results takes a great deal of work. This page contains information about how election results change from unofficial to official as well as best practices and resources to help election officials communicate this essential process to voters. While detailed information about post-election audit processes is not included here, more information about audits can be found in the EAC report [Election Audits Across the United States](https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/bestpractices/Election_Audits_Across_the_United_States.pdf). Additionally, election officials can use the [Communicating Election and Post-Election Processes Toolkit](https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/communicating-election-and-post-election-processes-toolkit) to create educational materials about pre- and post-election processes that observers and the public can understand. Election officials in any size jurisdiction can adapt this toolkit to fit their observer and voter education needs. - [Election Results Reporting](https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/election-results-canvass-and-certification#Election_Results_Reporting) - [Canvass](https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/election-results-canvass-and-certification#Canvass) - [Certification](https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/election-results-canvass-and-certification#Certification) - [State and Local Best Practices](https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/election-results-canvass-and-certification#State_and_Local_Best_Practices) The election results reported on election night are never the final, certified results. Election officials well know there are various other steps and factors that impact when election results are final. Communicating that information with the public can be a challenge. Voters look to election officials for trusted information about election results. How election officials display election results can play a key role in facilitating public confidence in election outcomes. Election officials can use the [Checklist for Securing Election Night Results Reporting](https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/electionofficials/postelection/Checklist_for_Securing_Election_Results_FINAL_EAC.pdf) as a baseline to assess their current Election Night Reporting cybersecurity protocols. These protocols would be in addition to other physical and administrative procedures election officials implement to ensure data reliability, including documented chain of custody, data verification procedures, and using certified technology to tabulate vote totals. **[Checklist for Securing Election Night Results Reporting](https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/electionofficials/postelection/Checklist_for_Securing_Election_Results_FINAL_EAC.pdf)** To help communicate the nuances of this process,the resources below help provide context when voters are viewing election results online. Best Practices: Election Results Reporting [Poster Format](https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/electionofficials/postelection/Election_Results_Reporting_Poster_Format.pdf) [Presentation Format](https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/electionofficials/postelection/Election_Results_Reporting_Presentation_Format.pdf) *** Leading up to the 2020 general election, the EAC hosted a discussion on preparing for election night reporting and press coverage on election results. Speakers offered remarks on issues surrounding misinformation and disinformation, unofficial results, managing expectations, ballots received after the election, and audits. Joining the EAC Commissioners were New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate; Brian Carovillano, Vice President and Managing Editor of the Associated Press; and Nate Persily, Professor of Law, Stanford Law School. Watch a recording of the event below. The canvass is a culmination of all the data generated during an election cycle. More importantly, it is a process that allows election officials to confirm the accuracy of election data and identify areas for improvement. The canvass process aggregates and confirms every valid ballot cast and counted, including mail, uniformed and overseas citizen, early voting, Election Day, and provisional ballots. Election officials can find information about the canvass process in the best practices guide below, [Guide to the Canvass](https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/electionofficials/postelection/Guide_to_the_Canvass_EAC.pdf "Guide to the Canvass EAC"). This document includes best practices for conducting post-election canvasses, including checklists for key parts of the canvass. [Guide to the Canvass](https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/electionofficials/postelection/Guide_to_the_Canvass_EAC.pdf "Guide to the Canvass EAC") Voters may have questions about the canvass process, and how this process ensures that election results are both secure and accurate. The resources below are intended to help election officials explain this process to their voters. ### Election Certification Election certification refers to the process of election officials attesting that the election results are a true and accurate accounting of all votes cast in a particular election. Importantly, the results reported on election night are not final even though the media may call the projected winner of races. Only election officials provide official election results. There are several steps election officials complete before they certify final election results. The figure below outlines the typical processes election officials perform before final, official results are certified. Not all jurisdictions follow each procedure outlined, or they may conduct them in a different order. | | | | | |---|---|---|---| | Image ![A white square with blue text reading Unofficial Results and blue computer screen icon.](https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/Election_Certification_Unofficial_Results_Graphic_250px.jpg) | Image ![A white square with blue text reading Canvass and blue checklist with hand holding a pen icon.](https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/Election_Certification_Canvass_Graphic_250px.jpg) | Image ![A white square with blue text reading Post-election Audit and blue and red magnifying glass with check icon.](https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/Election_Certification_Post_Election_Audit_Graphic_250px.jpg) | Image ![A white square with blue text reading Certification and blue certificate paper icon.](https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/Election_Certification_Certification_Graphic_250px.jpg) | | Unofficial results are published after the polls close on election night and continue to be released until all ballots are counted. Election results are unofficial until they are certified. | During the canvass, election officials reconcile the number of mail, early, and election day ballots cast with the number of voters. The purpose of the canvass is to make sure that every valid vote is included in the final results. | Most states require a post-election audit to verify voting equipment used during an election correctly counted votes. The timing and method of post-election audits differ among states. | Election officials issue a written statement of certification attesting that the election results are a true and accurate accounting of all votes cast in a particular election. | ### Impact of Recounts In addition to the steps included above, recounts may impact the timeline for final election certification depending on state law. For example, New Hampshire law specifies that state certification takes place after the deadline for a recount has expired. Similarly, in West Virginia, counties must certify results within 30 days of the election or, if there is a recount, within 30 days of completing the recount. A recount typically includes an additional count of votes cast to make sure the ballots were counted accurately. Each state has its own laws regarding the process for initiating a recount. Typically, recounts are initiated in one of the following ways: - A candidate for office requests a recount - A voter who participated in the election requests a recount - The vote margin falls within a legally required recount threshold - A judge issues a court order to recount a contest For requested recounts, state law may require the requestor to pay a set fee or the cost of the recount. Although no federal uniform statutory timeline exists for recounts, any recount would need to be resolved before statutory deadlines for transmission of certificates of ascertainment containing the names of the presidential electors and other candidates taking office. ### Who certifies election results and when? When polls close, local election officials will report unofficial election results to the public and if it is a state or federal election to their respective states. State election offices will aggregate data and report unofficial results for State and Federal offices, including President and Vice President. Then, after every valid vote has been included in the final results, and all required processes have been completed, the election results will be certified. Certification of election results at both the local and state level varies between states and sometimes even between local jurisdictions within a state depending on the contest being certified. Localities may have a multi-member board or a single elected election official, like a county auditor or municipal clerk, who certify results. At the state level, results may be certified by a single elected official (for example the Secretary of State or Governor), the state legislative body, an appointed election director, or by a multi-member board. Certifying a presidential election involves an additional set of deadlines and players—namely, electors. When voters cast their votes for President and Vice President, they are choosing a slate of electors to send to the [Electoral College](https://www.eac.gov/voters/presidential-elections#ElectoralCollege). Several states have a different timeline for the certification of the presidential race versus other Federal offices due to deadlines associated with the Electoral College. The following table provides an estimated certification timeline for each state’s local and state election officials to certify the 2024 general election results for federal offices. Estimated dates are for general informational purposes only. In the event a jurisdiction must recount a contest, it may impact the certification deadline. State and local election officials are the authorities on election certification dates. | Jurisdiction | Local Certification Deadline | State Certification Deadline | Notes | |---|---|---|---| | [Alabama](https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/election-2024/2024AdminCalendar.pdf "(opens in a new window)") | | | | ### California ### Yolo County Harnessing Technology to Improve Polling Place Resources and Response Time, Strengthen Voter Communications, and Increase Future Turnout which has streamlined election night reporting and improve voter participation. In 2018, the county harnessed GIS Systems and Mapping, along with a new poll worker app, to streamline election night reporting and improve voter participation. The Elections Office partnered with the county’s Information Technology division of the General Services Department to attain several innovative successes. The effort resulted in improved resource allocation, greater response time to polling places, strengthened communication of election results to citizens, and the likelihood of increasing future turnout through targeted outreach and education. <https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/yolo-county-elections-office-ca-2019-clearinghouse-award-winner> ### North Carolina ### Durham County Wait-Time Tracker for Early Voting This innovative app allowed voters to locate polling places closest to them, view voting information, and see current polling place wait times. Users could also find bus routes or get GPS directions. The results from using this application were extremely positive for both election workers and voters. In the 2020 General Election, over 48% of registered voters in Durham County chose to vote early. This new service helped to alleviate crowds at busy polling places by offering alternatives, provided voters with streamlined real-time information, and fostered staffing needs for early in-person locations. <https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/durham-county-board-elections-nc-2020-clearinghouse-award-winner> ### Utah ### Utah County GIS Solutions The Elections Division and GIS Department in Utah County collaborated on the use of GIS software to improve ballot security, public accountability, office efficiency, and real-time reporting and technology. Three major solutions were developed: a public-facing election results map, a secure dropbox ballot tracker dashboard, and a public-facing real-time ballot workflow dashboard system. These efforts accelerated the ballot counting process, increased security of dropbox information, provided data analysis to improve future elections, and reduced bottom-line costs. <https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/utah-county-elections-division-and-gis-department-ut-2020-clearinghouse-award> ![Agency logo](https://www.eac.gov/themes/custom/eac_uswds/images/eac-footer-logo.png) ### U.S. Election Assistance Commission 633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20001 [Contact the EAC](https://www.eac.gov/contact) [![Facebook](https://www.eac.gov/themes/custom/eac_uswds/images/social-media/facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/eacgov1 "(opens in a new window)") [![Instagram](https://www.eac.gov/themes/custom/eac_uswds/images/social-media/instagram.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/us.eac/ "(opens in a new window)") [![YouTube](https://www.eac.gov/themes/custom/eac_uswds/images/social-media/youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpN6i0g2rlF4ITWhwvBwwZw "(opens in a new window)") [![Twitter](https://www.eac.gov/themes/custom/eac_uswds/images/social-media/twitter-x.svg)](https://twitter.com/EACgov "(opens in a new window)") [![LinkedIn](https://www.eac.gov/themes/custom/eac_uswds/images/social-media/linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/u-s-election-assistance-commission "(opens in a new window)") [![RSS](https://www.eac.gov/themes/custom/eac_uswds/images/social-media/rss_feed.svg)](https://www.eac.gov/rss.xml) Stay Informed Get the latest on elections, resources, and events delivered straight to your inbox. 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Readable Markdown
Have you ever wondered what happens to your ballot after you get your I Voted Sticker? After the polls close, ballots and electronic vote records are securely transferred to the elections office. Election officials make election results public as quickly as possible. However, even when those results say “100% Precincts Reporting,” they are still unofficial. The process of reporting, canvassing, and certifying election results takes a great deal of work. This page contains information about how election results change from unofficial to official as well as best practices and resources to help election officials communicate this essential process to voters. While detailed information about post-election audit processes is not included here, more information about audits can be found in the EAC report [Election Audits Across the United States](https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/bestpractices/Election_Audits_Across_the_United_States.pdf). Additionally, election officials can use the [Communicating Election and Post-Election Processes Toolkit](https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/communicating-election-and-post-election-processes-toolkit) to create educational materials about pre- and post-election processes that observers and the public can understand. Election officials in any size jurisdiction can adapt this toolkit to fit their observer and voter education needs. - [Election Results Reporting](https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/election-results-canvass-and-certification#Election_Results_Reporting) - [Canvass](https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/election-results-canvass-and-certification#Canvass) - [Certification](https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/election-results-canvass-and-certification#Certification) - [State and Local Best Practices](https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/election-results-canvass-and-certification#State_and_Local_Best_Practices) The election results reported on election night are never the final, certified results. Election officials well know there are various other steps and factors that impact when election results are final. Communicating that information with the public can be a challenge. Voters look to election officials for trusted information about election results. How election officials display election results can play a key role in facilitating public confidence in election outcomes. Election officials can use the [Checklist for Securing Election Night Results Reporting](https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/electionofficials/postelection/Checklist_for_Securing_Election_Results_FINAL_EAC.pdf) as a baseline to assess their current Election Night Reporting cybersecurity protocols. These protocols would be in addition to other physical and administrative procedures election officials implement to ensure data reliability, including documented chain of custody, data verification procedures, and using certified technology to tabulate vote totals. **[Checklist for Securing Election Night Results Reporting](https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/electionofficials/postelection/Checklist_for_Securing_Election_Results_FINAL_EAC.pdf)** To help communicate the nuances of this process,the resources below help provide context when voters are viewing election results online. Best Practices: Election Results Reporting [Poster Format](https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/electionofficials/postelection/Election_Results_Reporting_Poster_Format.pdf) [Presentation Format](https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/electionofficials/postelection/Election_Results_Reporting_Presentation_Format.pdf) *** Leading up to the 2020 general election, the EAC hosted a discussion on preparing for election night reporting and press coverage on election results. Speakers offered remarks on issues surrounding misinformation and disinformation, unofficial results, managing expectations, ballots received after the election, and audits. Joining the EAC Commissioners were New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate; Brian Carovillano, Vice President and Managing Editor of the Associated Press; and Nate Persily, Professor of Law, Stanford Law School. Watch a recording of the event below. The canvass is a culmination of all the data generated during an election cycle. More importantly, it is a process that allows election officials to confirm the accuracy of election data and identify areas for improvement. The canvass process aggregates and confirms every valid ballot cast and counted, including mail, uniformed and overseas citizen, early voting, Election Day, and provisional ballots. Election officials can find information about the canvass process in the best practices guide below, [Guide to the Canvass](https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/electionofficials/postelection/Guide_to_the_Canvass_EAC.pdf "Guide to the Canvass EAC"). This document includes best practices for conducting post-election canvasses, including checklists for key parts of the canvass. [Guide to the Canvass](https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/electionofficials/postelection/Guide_to_the_Canvass_EAC.pdf "Guide to the Canvass EAC") Voters may have questions about the canvass process, and how this process ensures that election results are both secure and accurate. The resources below are intended to help election officials explain this process to their voters. ### Election Certification Election certification refers to the process of election officials attesting that the election results are a true and accurate accounting of all votes cast in a particular election. Importantly, the results reported on election night are not final even though the media may call the projected winner of races. Only election officials provide official election results. There are several steps election officials complete before they certify final election results. The figure below outlines the typical processes election officials perform before final, official results are certified. Not all jurisdictions follow each procedure outlined, or they may conduct them in a different order. | | | | | |---|---|---|---| | Unofficial results are published after the polls close on election night and continue to be released until all ballots are counted. Election results are unofficial until they are certified. | During the canvass, election officials reconcile the number of mail, early, and election day ballots cast with the number of voters. The purpose of the canvass is to make sure that every valid vote is included in the final results. | Most states require a post-election audit to verify voting equipment used during an election correctly counted votes. The timing and method of post-election audits differ among states. | Election officials issue a written statement of certification attesting that the election results are a true and accurate accounting of all votes cast in a particular election. | ### Impact of Recounts In addition to the steps included above, recounts may impact the timeline for final election certification depending on state law. For example, New Hampshire law specifies that state certification takes place after the deadline for a recount has expired. Similarly, in West Virginia, counties must certify results within 30 days of the election or, if there is a recount, within 30 days of completing the recount. A recount typically includes an additional count of votes cast to make sure the ballots were counted accurately. Each state has its own laws regarding the process for initiating a recount. Typically, recounts are initiated in one of the following ways: - A candidate for office requests a recount - A voter who participated in the election requests a recount - The vote margin falls within a legally required recount threshold - A judge issues a court order to recount a contest For requested recounts, state law may require the requestor to pay a set fee or the cost of the recount. Although no federal uniform statutory timeline exists for recounts, any recount would need to be resolved before statutory deadlines for transmission of certificates of ascertainment containing the names of the presidential electors and other candidates taking office. ### Who certifies election results and when? When polls close, local election officials will report unofficial election results to the public and if it is a state or federal election to their respective states. State election offices will aggregate data and report unofficial results for State and Federal offices, including President and Vice President. Then, after every valid vote has been included in the final results, and all required processes have been completed, the election results will be certified. Certification of election results at both the local and state level varies between states and sometimes even between local jurisdictions within a state depending on the contest being certified. Localities may have a multi-member board or a single elected election official, like a county auditor or municipal clerk, who certify results. At the state level, results may be certified by a single elected official (for example the Secretary of State or Governor), the state legislative body, an appointed election director, or by a multi-member board. Certifying a presidential election involves an additional set of deadlines and players—namely, electors. When voters cast their votes for President and Vice President, they are choosing a slate of electors to send to the [Electoral College](https://www.eac.gov/voters/presidential-elections#ElectoralCollege). Several states have a different timeline for the certification of the presidential race versus other Federal offices due to deadlines associated with the Electoral College. The following table provides an estimated certification timeline for each state’s local and state election officials to certify the 2024 general election results for federal offices. Estimated dates are for general informational purposes only. In the event a jurisdiction must recount a contest, it may impact the certification deadline. State and local election officials are the authorities on election certification dates. | Jurisdiction | Local Certification Deadline | State Certification Deadline | Notes | |---|---|---|---| | [Alabama](https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/election-2024/2024AdminCalendar.pdf "(opens in a new window)") | | | | ### California ### Yolo County Harnessing Technology to Improve Polling Place Resources and Response Time, Strengthen Voter Communications, and Increase Future Turnout which has streamlined election night reporting and improve voter participation. In 2018, the county harnessed GIS Systems and Mapping, along with a new poll worker app, to streamline election night reporting and improve voter participation. The Elections Office partnered with the county’s Information Technology division of the General Services Department to attain several innovative successes. The effort resulted in improved resource allocation, greater response time to polling places, strengthened communication of election results to citizens, and the likelihood of increasing future turnout through targeted outreach and education. <https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/yolo-county-elections-office-ca-2019-clearinghouse-award-winner> ### North Carolina ### Durham County Wait-Time Tracker for Early Voting This innovative app allowed voters to locate polling places closest to them, view voting information, and see current polling place wait times. Users could also find bus routes or get GPS directions. The results from using this application were extremely positive for both election workers and voters. In the 2020 General Election, over 48% of registered voters in Durham County chose to vote early. This new service helped to alleviate crowds at busy polling places by offering alternatives, provided voters with streamlined real-time information, and fostered staffing needs for early in-person locations. <https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/durham-county-board-elections-nc-2020-clearinghouse-award-winner> ### Utah ### Utah County GIS Solutions The Elections Division and GIS Department in Utah County collaborated on the use of GIS software to improve ballot security, public accountability, office efficiency, and real-time reporting and technology. Three major solutions were developed: a public-facing election results map, a secure dropbox ballot tracker dashboard, and a public-facing real-time ballot workflow dashboard system. These efforts accelerated the ballot counting process, increased security of dropbox information, provided data analysis to improve future elections, and reduced bottom-line costs. <https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/utah-county-elections-division-and-gis-department-ut-2020-clearinghouse-award>
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