With the Coronavirus Pandemic as a backdrop heading into Election Day, States are expecting an Increase in Absentee or Mail-in Ballots. But how will that Affect the Availability of Election Results on Nov. 3rd and beyond?

Upon Receiving Absentee/Mail-in-Ballots, Election Officials must First Process them before they can be Counted.

Processing generally entails: Verifying Voter is Registered; Verifying if Voter's Ballot already Counted; Verifying if Voter's Ballot Signature matches One on File; and Physically preparing Ballots for Tabulation.

The Practices for this can vary widely from State to State. Counting entails the Actual Tabulation of Votes.

Sixteen States allow for Officials to begin Counting Absentee/Mail-in-Ballots before Election Day.

Seven States: Arizona; Colorado; Delaware; Montana; Nebraska; North Carolina; and Vermont, provide Explicitly for Counting to begin before Election Day, but Not Report Totals until After Voting ends on November 3rd.

Nine States, the relevant Statutes either do Not Specify a Timeline or leave the Decision to the Discretion of Local Officials: Connecticut; Hawaii; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Ohio; Oklahoma; Oregon; and Utah.

Statutes in the remaining States do Not allow for Counting to begin either until Election Day or after Polls Close.

However, these Procedures are subject to Change, as Policymakers continue to contend with the Challenges presented by Administering Elections during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Counting the Ballots, but Not Reporting Totals until Polls Close on November 3rd, will Reduce the Time to Certify the Vote Totals, and give the States time for Voters to Correct Problems with their Ballots, so their Vote will Count.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker