Ballotpedia's 2022 Election Help Desk: Election result reporting and certification
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In a canvass, election officials verify that each ballot cast in the election was correctly counted. Certification is the process by which the results of an election are made official. The two processes are closely related, and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. If you have a question you'd like to see answered, contact our team.
Frequently asked questions related to election results reporting and certification include:
- How and when are election results finalized?
- How will election recounts work?
- Can candidates win an election if they have already conceded?
- How do major media outlets declare winners?
As always, if you need to know what is on your ballot in November 2022, click here to use our sample ballot lookup tool.
How and when are election results finalized?
Certification of election results is conducted at the state level. Election result certification deadlines are set in state law. Click here to learn more about those deadlines.
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.
Can candidates win an election if they have already conceded?
Candidates concede when they give a statement to the effect that they have lost the election. Candidates commonly call opponents to congratulate them on their victory before giving a public concession speech to supporters. Is a concession the final word on the outcome of an election? Can a candidate still win an election if he or she has conceded? Click here to find out.
How do major media outlets declare winners?
Major media outlets often project who the winner of an election will be before all votes have been counted. Click here to learn more about that process.
See also
Footnotes
