How are votes counted and certified?

#Election night numbers are unofficial

The totals on government websites, television and social media on election night are unofficial. News organizations may “call” races as soon as election offices begin reporting, and candidates may concede. Those calls do not change the legal count. In the words of the Election Assistance Commission, “Only election officials provide official election results.”

#The canvass and certification

Most states require a canvass, in which officials reconcile the number of ballots cast with the number of voters and make sure the final results include every valid vote. They also review signatures and provisional ballots. Most states add a post-election audit to check that the equipment counted correctly.

Certification comes next: officials attest that the tabulation and canvass are complete and accurate. Local officials usually certify first, then a state official or board compiles the local results and certifies state and federal races. Deadlines vary. As of October 14, 2026, NCSL listed Utah, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island with no completion deadline for state certification.

#Recounts

A recount is a second count, either automatic when the margin is narrow or requested, usually by the losing candidate or party. As of October 19, 2026, 26 states and DC had automatic recounts, most often at a margin of 0.5%, and 41 states and DC allowed a recount to be requested. Where a state has no recount process, a defeated candidate’s remedy is to contest the result in court. The state or county pays for an automatic recount. Most states require a deposit for a requested one, refunded if the outcome changes.

Timing depends on the state. The EAC describes recounts that begin after certification. No uniform federal timeline exists, but a recount must end before the winner’s term is due to start.

#A worked example: the 2000 presidential recount

On November 8, 2000, Florida reported presidential totals of 2,909,135 and 2,907,351, a margin of 1,784. That was under the 0.5% trigger, so an automatic machine recount followed, and it narrowed the margin without changing the leader. One campaign then sought manual recounts in four counties under the state’s protest rules, and the deadline for county returns was litigated.

On November 26, the state’s Elections Canvassing Commission certified the result. Certification did not end the matter: the next day the same campaign filed a contest in state court. A state supreme court order for further recounts reached the US Supreme Court, which reversed it on December 12 in Bush v. Gore. The automatic recount, the protest and the contest each came under a different part of Florida’s election code.

#The federal law for presidential results

The Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022, enacted on December 29, 2022, sets rules for the step after state certification in presidential races. Electors must be appointed on Election Day under state laws enacted before that day. Each state’s executive must issue a certificate of ascertainment at least 6 days before electors meet. Congress must treat that certificate as conclusive, unless a court orders a replacement before the electors meet. A presidential or vice presidential candidate can challenge a certificate in federal court, before three judges, on an expedited schedule with direct review by the Supreme Court. For the January 6 count, see our page on the Electoral College.