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Ballotpedia's 2022 Election Help Desk: General election information
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Frequently asked questions Ballotpedia's 2022 Election Help Desk: General election information Ballotpedia's 2022 Election Help Desk: Processing and counting absentee/mail-in ballots Ballotpedia's 2022 Election Help Desk: Election result reporting and certification Ballotpedia's 2022 Election Help Desk: Disputing election results | |
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Election rules and processes vary widely among states and localities. Frequently asked questions related to general election information include:
- Who runs elections in the United States?
- Why do states have different election rules?
- Do you have to vote for everything on your ballot?
- What happens if you mark outside the lines or use the wrong pen/pencil?
- How will election recounts work?
- What is a spoiled ballot?
- What is a write-in candidate?
- How can I check the status of my ballot?
- Can I take a ballot selfie?
Who runs elections in the United States?
Election administration in the U.S. is largely decentralized. Administrators at the state and local level are responsible for running elections, from maintaining voter registration records to counting ballots. As a result, election laws and procedures vary widely among states and localities.
Why do states have different election rules?
Election rules vary widely among states because states, rather than the federal government, play the primary role in creating policy on elections administration. State legislatures and ballot measures create many of the rules governing ballot access, voter registration, and vote counting. Why is this the case? Click here to find out.
Do you have to vote for everything on your ballot?
The act of leaving one option blank on a ballot while filling out other options is commonly referred to as undervoting. Does undervoting impact your ballot in any way or prevent it from being counted? Does it change the election results or how the results are calculated? Click here to find out.
What happens if you mark outside the lines or use the wrong pen/pencil?
In some states, election officials may reject ballots that have stray marks or that have been filled out in pencil. To avoid the possibility that your ballot is rejected for these reasons, follow the instructions on the ballot carefully. Click here to learn more.
How will election recounts work?
An election recount is a process by which votes cast in an election are re-tabulated to verify the accuracy of the original results. Recounts typically occur in the event of a close margin of victory, following accusations of election fraud, or due to the possibility of administrative errors.[1] Click here to learn more about how they begin, how they work, and what happens after they end.
What is a spoiled ballot?
Ballots can be spoiled and not counted by election officials. Spoiled ballots can happen for any number of accidental or deliberate reasons and do not make it into the ballot box.
What is a write-in candidate?
Some states give voters the option of writing in a candidate's name, rather than voting for a candidate whose name is printed on the ballot.
How can I check the status of my ballot?
Some states allow voters to track the status of their absentee/mail-in ballot online.
Can I take a ballot selfie?
- See also: Can I take a ballot selfie? (2022)
Ballot selfies are photos taken by voters showing their completed ballot. State laws govern whether voters can share ballot selfies. Click here to find out whether your state permits ballot selfies.
Who can I contact with questions about voting?
All states offer centralized points of contact for citizens who have questions about voting policies and procedures and their rights as voters.. Click here to find contact information for your state.
See also
Footnotes
