CEIR Explains: What Happens After We Vote
This interactive shows how the votes cast in the 2024 general election become official election results. The map of the process below moves from election workers counting votes to the release of official election results and the archiving of election materials. Different colors highlight steps taken by election administrators to reach official outcomes.
Click on each box for more information. For more information on how to vote, voters should visit vote.gov or ask their local election officials for dates, times, and voting locations in their area.
Research by April Tan, Kira Flemke, and Kyle Yoder, with assistance from Research Interns Carly Pyles, Jordan Phan, and Jane Wright
About this Series
The CEIR Explains series outlines the steps in running an election—taken by voters, election administrators, the news media, and others. Each explainer aims to provide better understanding of the processes of democracy.
Interested in learning more? Check out CEIR’s explainers on “How a Ballot Becomes a Vote” and “How Election Results Coverage Really Works”
What happens after you cast your ballot?
In every election, a thorough, time-tested process begins after voters cast their ballots.
In every state, teams of trained volunteers and professionals work together at the state and local level to ensure that all valid votes are counted transparently, securely, and accurately. Multiple redundancies, including audits and recounts, verify the accuracy of results as ballots are counted. In statewide and federal elections, state officials canvass the work of local officials, providing another check before certifying the official results. While the exact order and details of these steps may vary from one state to the next, every state follows this time-tested process to make sure that election results are accurate, secure, and trustworthy.
The key steps of this process are explained in detail below.
Election workers begin counting votes.
After voters cast their ballots, election workers begin the process of counting votes to determine election results.
Ballots cast on Election Day are counted after the polls close. Some states allow local officials to begin counting early in-person and mail ballots before polls close, so long as they follow state rules to keep ballots and results secret until polls close. No matter when counting begins, results are not released until after the polls close.
Votes are typically counted at the local level, often by precinct. Election workers typically use machines called tabulators to securely and accurately count votes. To ensure an accurate count, tabulators are thoroughly tested before any counting begins. To ensure a secure count, tabulators are never connected to the internet. If a tabulator is unable to read a ballot for any reason, election officials follow state laws to make sure ballots are counted correctly.
Many states allow outside groups or individuals to observe the counting process. Observers may include members of the public, political parties, the media, or other groups.
Vote counting is a process that extends beyond Election Day. Counting may continue for days or even weeks after Election Day to ensure each ballot is securely and accurately counted. This includes mail ballots, military ballots, and provisional ballots. Official results are not known until all ballots are counted and the results certified.
Any results reported after the close of polls but before the certification of the results are unofficial. This includes all projections and calls by news outlets on election night.
Want to learn more about the different ways voters can cast a ballot? Check out CEIR’s explainer on “How A Ballot Becomes a Vote.”
Want to learn more about how the media reports on these unofficial election results? Check out CEIR’s explainer on “How Election Coverage Really Works.”
For additional information:
- Bolts, “Who Counts Our Elections?”
- Brennan Center for Justice, “Roadmap to the Official Count in the 2024 Election: Tabulation
- National Conference of State Legislatures, “When Absentee/Mail Ballot Processing and Counting Can Begin”
- National Conference of State Legislatures, “Policies for Election Observers”
- Verified Voting, “The Verifier – Mail Ballot Tabulation – 2024”
Local officials canvass the election.
After the election, local officials review ballot materials to make sure vote counts are accurate and complete. This process is called canvassing.
As part of the canvass, local officials also examine the work of election staff and poll workers to confirm that election rules and procedures were properly followed. The canvass follows procedures established in state election law and regulations. In many jurisdictions, the canvass must be done by a bipartisan board.
Specific canvassing procedures differ by jurisdiction but often include:
- checking that each mail ballot, provisional ballot, and military and overseas ballot is valid before it is counted
- checking the count of all valid ballots cast by each available method
- making sure that the number of ballots counted matches the number of ballots cast
- reviewing paperwork from each precinct
- checking chain of custody records for ballots, equipment, and other materials
- conducting post-election audits
Many states allow outside groups or individuals to observe the canvass process. These may include members of the public, political parties, the media, or other groups.
Deadlines for completing the canvass vary by state, ranging from the day after the election to one month after the election.
Once the canvass is complete, local officials certify the results.
To learn more about the different types of ballots cast by voters, see CEIR’s Explainer “How A Ballot Becomes a Vote.”
For additional information:
- Bipartisan Policy Center, “Behind the Curtain of Post-Election Canvassing, Audits, and Certification”
- Bolts, “Who Counts Our Elections?”
- Brennan Center for Justice, “Roadmap to the Official Count in the 2024 Election: Canvass“
- National Conference of State Legislatures, “Canvass Deadlines”
- National Conference of State Legislatures, “Policies for Election Observers”
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission, “Guide to the Canvass”
Election officials audit the election.
After an election, officials conduct routine post-election audits to make sure votes were counted accurately and the election was conducted properly. The specific process for the audit varies by state.
Nearly every state requires election officials to conduct one or more of the three main types of audits: tabulation audits, risk-limiting audits, and procedural audits. In most places, audits happen before results are certified, but some states conduct audits after results are certified.
Many states allow outside groups or individuals to observe post-election audits. These may include members of the public, political parties, the media, or other groups.
Tabulation Audits
In a tabulation audit (sometimes called a “counting audit”), officials select and recount a percentage of the ballots cast in the election. The specific percentage is set by state law or regulation. Officials compare the results of the recounted ballots against the results of the initial count to check for accuracy. Tabulation audits can be done by machine or by hand. If a machine is used for the audit, officials typically use a different vote counting machine than the one that originally counted the ballots.
Risk-Limiting Audits
Risk-limiting audits (RLAs) are similar to tabulation audits, in that they recount a percentage of the ballots cast in the election. However, instead of a set percentage of ballots, risk-limiting audits use an incremental system to recount as many randomly selected ballots as are needed to verify the counted votes. The specific number of ballots included in the audit sample depends on how close a race is. If a race is close, officials include more ballots in the audit sample to check the results.
Procedural Audits
While tabulation and risk-limiting audits check to see if vote counts are correct, procedural audits make sure that election processes were followed properly. Procedural audits confirm that all important documents were completed and signed, all vote counting equipment was tested, and all secure chain of custody procedures for election materials were followed. A procedural audit may also include other procedures as determined by state law.
For additional information on post-election audits:
- American Statistical Association, “Principles and Best Practices for Post-Election Tabulation Audits”
- Brennan Center for Justice, “Roadmap to the Official Count in the 2024 Election: Audits”
- Council of State Governments, “Procedural Audit”
- National Conference of State Legislatures, “Post-Election Audits”
- National Conference of State Legislatures, “Policies for Election Observers”
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission, “Election Audits Across the United States”
- Verified Voting, “Audit Law Database”
- Verified Voting, “Risk-Limiting Audits”
Local officials certify local results.
After the local canvass is complete, state law requires local officials to certify the results.
When election officials certify results, they are simply confirming that the canvass has finished and that the election results are complete. Local certification turns the local vote count into official election results.
The specific official or government entity that certifies local results varies by jurisdiction. In some states, a local election official certifies results. In other states, certification may be done by a local canvassing board or local board of elections.
States have rules to make sure election results are certified in a timely manner. Depending on the state, local certification deadlines range from one day to one month after Election Day.
It’s important to know that certification is a ministerial act. This means that local election officials are required by law to certify the results and must follow specific procedures and timelines when doing so. In many states, election recounts and legal challenges can only begin after results have been certified. The results for different offices can be certified separately, so a recount or legal challenge in one contest does not delay certification of other contests. Election results are certified before newly elected officials are sworn in to office.
For additional information:
- Bolts, “Who Counts Our Elections?”
- Brennan Center for Justice, “Roadmap to the Official Count in the 2024 Election: Certification”
- Election Assistance Commission, “What is Election Certification?”
- National Conference of State Legislatures, “Election Certification Deadlines”
- State Court Report, “How State and Local Election Certification Works”
- Voting Rights Lab, “Upholding the Will of the People: Understanding Election Certification”
Recounts are triggered or requested.
Election officials sometimes conduct recounts to double-check vote counts for specific contests. Depending on the state, recounts can happen automatically, by request, or both.
Automatic recounts are typically triggered when the difference in votes between two candidates is very small. Voters, candidates, or political parties can also ask for a recount in most states. Historically, it has been very rare for recounts to change election outcomes.
State and local laws decide when and how recounts occur. Recounts typically take place after certification. Depending on relevant laws, recounts can be performed by machine or by hand. Recounts are finished before newly elected officials are sworn in to office.
States have different procedures for what to do if the results of a recount are different from the certified election results. In some states, the recount automatically replaces the previous results. In other states, a court must decide the issue.
Many states allow outside groups or individuals to observe recounts. These may include members of the public, political parties, the media, or other groups.
Machine recount
In a machine recount, tabulators are used to securely and accurately count the ballots again.
To ensure an accurate recount, tabulators are thoroughly tested for logic and accuracy before a recount. To ensure a secure recount, tabulators are never connected to the internet. If a tabulator is unable to read a ballot for any reason, election officials follow state laws to make sure ballots are recounted correctly.
Hand recount
In a hand recount, election officials inspect and count each ballot by hand. Because a hand recount is a manual process, it typically requires more labor, time, and money than a machine recount. Because manually counting large amounts of paper is prone to error, hand counts often must be repeated multiple times to get reliable, consistent results.
For additional information on recounts:
- Brennan Center for Justice, “Roadmap to the Official Count in the 2024 Election: Conducting Recounts”
- Democracy Docket, “Here’s How a Recount Works”
- Election Assistance Commission, “Election Management Guidelines: Ch. 19 Recounts”
- FairVote, “An analysis of statewide election recounts, 2000-2023”
- National Conference of State Legislatures, “Election Recounts”
- National Conference of State Legislatures, “Policies for Election Observers”
- States United Democracy Center, “The Reality of Full Hand Counts”
- Verified Voting, “Hand Counted Paper Ballots”
- Verified Voting, “Recount Law Database”
Official results are released for local contests.
Once local officials have certified election results, they release the official result of each contest. This ends the election results process for local elections, unless there is a recount or legal challenge. Official results are not released until days or weeks after Election Day.
In statewide contests or contests involving multiple local jurisdictions, local officials send locally certified results to state officials for further canvassing and certification.
For additional information:
- Brennan Center for Justice, “Roadmap to the Official Count in the 2024 Election: Certification”
- State Court Report, “How State and Local Election Certification Works”
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission, “Election Management Guidelines: Chapter 19 Canvassing and Certifying an Election”
State officials canvass certified local results to create statewide results.
After local results are certified for statewide and federal races, state officials add them up and make sure vote counts are accurate. This process is called the state canvass. As part of the state canvass, state officials confirm that all required processes and necessary documentation have been completed by each local jurisdiction. The state canvass follows procedures established in state election law and regulations. In many states, the state canvass must be done by a bipartisan board or committee of elected officials.
Many states allow outside groups or individuals to observe the state canvass process. These may include members of the public, political parties, the media, or other groups.
Deadlines for completing the canvass vary by state, ranging from the Friday after the election to the second Tuesday in December. Once the state canvass is complete, state officials certify the results.
For additional information:
- Bipartisan Policy Center, “Behind the Curtain of Post-Election Canvassing, Audits, and Certification”
- Bolts, “Who Counts Our Elections?”
- National Conference of State Legislatures, “Canvass Deadlines”
- National Conference of State Legislatures, “Policies for Election Observers”
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission, “Guide to the Canvass”
State officials certify statewide results.
After the state canvass is complete, state law requires state officials to certify the results.
When election officials certify results, they are simply confirming that the state canvass has finished and that the election results are complete. State certification turns statewide results from the canvass into official election results.
The specific official or government entity that certifies statewide results varies by state. In some states, the chief election official certifies statewide results. This is often the secretary of state or lieutenant governor. In other states, state certification may be done by a state canvassing board or state board of elections.
States have rules to make sure election results are certified in a timely manner. State certification deadlines vary by state.
Just like at the local level, state certification is a ministerial act. This means that state election officials are required by law to certify the results and must follow specific procedures and timelines when doing so. In many states, election recounts and legal challenges can only begin after results have been certified. The results for different offices can be certified separately, so a recount or legal challenge in one contest does not delay certification of other contests. Election results are certified before newly elected officials are sworn in to office.
For additional information:
- Bolts, “Who Counts Our Elections?”
- Brennan Center for Justice, “Roadmap to the Official Count in the 2024 Election: Certification”
- Election Assistance Commission (EAC), “What is Election Certification?”
- National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), “Election Certification Deadlines”
- State Court Report, “How State and Local Election Certification Works”
- Voting Rights Lab, “Upholding the Will of the People: Understanding Election Certification”
Recounts are triggered or requested.
Election officials sometimes conduct recounts to double-check vote counts for specific contests. Depending on the state, recounts can happen automatically, by request, or both.
Automatic recounts are typically triggered when the difference in votes between two candidates is very small. Voters, candidates, or political parties can also ask for a recount in most states. Historically, it has been very rare for recounts to change election outcomes.
State and local laws decide when and how recounts occur. Recounts typically take place after certification. Depending on relevant laws, recounts can be performed by machine or by hand. Recounts are finished before newly elected officials are sworn in to office.
States have different procedures for what to do if the results of a recount are different from the certified election results. In some states, the recount automatically replaces the previous results. In other states, a court must decide the issue.
Many states allow outside groups or individuals to observe recounts. These may include members of the public, political parties, the media, or other groups.
Machine recount
In a machine recount, tabulators are used to securely and accurately count the ballots again.
To ensure an accurate recount, tabulators are thoroughly tested for logic and accuracy before a recount. To ensure a secure recount, tabulators are never connected to the internet. If a tabulator is unable to read a ballot for any reason, election officials follow state laws to make sure ballots are recounted correctly.
Hand recount
In a hand recount, election officials inspect and count each ballot by hand. Because a hand recount is a manual process, it typically requires more labor, time, and money than a machine recount. Because manually counting large amounts of paper is prone to error, hand counts often must be repeated multiple times to get reliable, consistent results.
For additional information on recounts:
- Brennan Center for Justice, “Roadmap to the Official Count in the 2024 Election: Conducting Recounts”
- Democracy Docket, “Here’s How a Recount Works”
- Election Assistance Commission, “Election Management Guidelines: Ch. 19 Recounts”
- FairVote, “An analysis of statewide election recounts, 2000-2023”
- National Conference of State Legislatures, “Election Recounts”
- National Conference of State Legislatures, “Policies for Election Observers”
- States United Democracy Center, “The Reality of Full Hand Counts”
- Verified Voting, “Hand Counted Paper Ballots”
- Verified Voting, “Recount Law Database”
Official results are released for statewide and federal contests.
Once state officials have certified election results, they release the official result of each contest. This ends the election results process for statewide and most federal contests, unless there is a recount or legal challenge. Official results are not released until days or weeks after Election Day.
The one exception is the race for president and vice president. For a presidential race, the state must complete a few extra steps because of the process for the Electoral College.
For additional information:
- Brennan Center for Justice, “Roadmap to the Official Count in the 2024 Election: Certification”
- State Court Report, “How State and Local Election Certification Works”
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission, “Election Management Guidelines: Chapter 19 Canvassing and Certifying an Election”
Electoral College (presidential races only)
The election of a U.S. president and vice president involves a few more steps than other electoral contests. This process is established in the U.S. Constitution and centers around the Electoral College.
The Electoral College has 538 electors, representing each of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Each state has as many electors as it has Senators and Representatives in Congress. Washington, D.C., has three electors. A candidate must receive 270 electoral votes to be elected President or Vice President.
Electors are appointed in a two-step process. Before the election, each state’s political parties choose their own slate of potential electors. After the election, states appoint electors based on which candidate won the race in their state. When you vote for a presidential ticket, you’re really voting for a slate of electors who will vote for those candidates in the Electoral College.
In most states and Washington, D.C., the candidate who gets the most votes from voters will receive all the electoral votes for that state. Two states—Maine and Nebraska—split their electoral votes, appointing some electors based on the statewide results and some based on the popular vote within each congressional district.
For additional information:
- Campaign Legal Center, “Report: Roadmap to Electing the American President”
- Bipartisan Policy Center, “The Electoral College, Simplified”
- National Archives, “What is the Electoral College?”
- National Archives, “Electoral College Timeline of Events”
- National Archives, “About the Electors”
- Protect Democracy, “Understanding the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022”
- USA.Gov, “Electoral College”
States certify slate of electors.
Under federal law, each state must certify its slate of electors to the Electoral College at least six days before the electors meet to vote. For the 2024 general election, this deadline is December 11.
Every state appoints and certifies its electors based on its certified statewide election results. In most states and Washington, D.C., the candidate who gets the most votes from voters will receive all the electoral votes for that state. Two states—Maine and Nebraska—split their electoral votes, appointing some electors based on the statewide results and some based on the popular vote within each congressional district.
For additional information:
- Bipartisan Policy Center, “The Electoral College, Simplified”
- Campaign Legal Center, “Report: Roadmap to Electing the American President”
- National Archives, “What is the Electoral College?”
- National Archives, “Electoral College Timeline of Events”
Electors meet to vote.
After each state certifies its slate of electors, those electors meet in their respective states to cast their votes for president and vice president. In the 2024 general election, electors in each state will meet to vote on December 17.
The electors’ votes are then recorded and sent to Congress.
For additional information:
- Bipartisan Policy Center, “The Electoral College, Simplified”
- Campaign Legal Center, “Report: Roadmap to Electing the American President”
- National Archives, “What is the Electoral College?”
- National Archives, “Electoral College Timeline of Events”
Congress counts and certifies electoral votes.
On January 6, Congress meets in a joint session to count the electoral votes from each state.
The current vice president presides over the count in their capacity as president of the Senate. The bipartisan Electoral Count Reform Act (ECRA) passed by Congress in 2022 affirms that the role of the vice president in overseeing the count is purely ministerial. This means they must follow set procedures and do not have the power to determine which electors or votes to count. The vice president is limited to certain tasks, including opening each state’s electoral certificate before handing the votes to “tellers” who read and count the votes aloud before Congress.
The ECRA also defines other procedures that make sure the electoral votes are counted accurately, securely, and efficiently during the joint session.
Once all electoral votes have been read and counted aloud before Congress, the final results are announced.
For additional information:
- Campaign Legal Center, “Report: Roadmap to Electing the American President”
- National Archives, “What is the Electoral College?”
- National Archives, “Electoral College Timeline of Events”
- Protect Democracy, “Understanding the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022”
The president-elect and vice president-elect take their oath of office.
On January 20, the president-elect and vice president-elect are formally sworn into office.
For additional information;
- National Archives, “Electoral College Timeline of Events”
- USA.gov, “Inauguration of the president of the United States“
Officials archive and store election materials.
After an election has been certified, election officials securely seal and store all election materials. This includes paper ballots, canvass and certification documents, election reports, official results, notes from observers, and other important materials.
These materials are stored and kept available for any legal cases or public records requests related to the election. This provides continued transparency into the administration of an election, allowing further verification of results, research into best practices, and continuous improvements to administrative procedures.
Federal law requires all states to preserve election materials for at least 22 months after each federal election. Individual states may have additional requirements for storing and archiving election materials.
For additional information:
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, “Election Security Rumor vs. Reality”
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission, “Voting System Security Measures”
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission, “Election Management Guidelines”
- USA.gov, “Your Vote is Safe”