When your candidate loses an election, it can feel like a stinging defeat. But it’s important to remember that a single election doesn’t shape the course of a nation. The real work of shaping a democracy takes ongoing efforts, diverse voices and people engaging every day. The best way to shape the future is to vote, and to make sure your vote counts. That’s why it’s important for voters to understand the process of certifying election results and the many steps that must take place to ensure that votes are counted accurately.
When the polls close on Election Day, local election offices begin a long and rigorous process of verifying votes. These steps take days (and sometimes weeks) to complete. This includes counting all votes, including those received after the polls close, and ensuring that every ballot is counted securely. The process may also include a final recount of some races, which are typically only conducted in states with laws that allow for them.
News media outlets track the progress of each race in real time. Reporters collect unofficial results from multiple sources and then compare them to each other to ensure accuracy. This information informs each outlet’s prediction of a winner, which is often referred to as a “call.” This process may continue for days or even weeks after the call has been made, until all ballots have been counted and the official results have been certified.
The 2024 elections saw major shifts in federal leadership across the United States and in many counties, with significant implications for county governments. It’s likely that these results will have an impact on the next Congress, and in states with competitive governorships and legislatures.