Timelines related to absentee/mail-in ballot processing and counting

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The steps required to count votes cast by absentee/mail-in ballots differ from those required to count votes cast in-person.

In general, there are two phases in the process of counting absentee/mail-in ballots common to each state: processing and counting. Each state describes the actions taken during these phases differently. Some states recognize a third phase, tabulation, as independent from the other two phases. Others consider the work of tabulation as part of processing or counting. For more information on these definitions, click here.

How state law defines these phases and when laws permit election officials to begin each phase affect the time it takes for officials to deliver election results.

This page provides information about the different approaches that states take, including the different definitions of processing, tabulation, and counting, and the specific or general timelines for election officials in each state.

Explore the topics below for detailed information:

• General considerations
• Processing
• Counting
• Ballot receipt deadlines

General considerations

State laws prescribe when election officials can begin processing absentee/mail-in ballots, what activities are allowed during processing, when election officials can begin counting these ballots, and, in some instances, a deadline by which election officials must complete counting ballots. In some states, laws require election officials to complete certain actions weeks before Election Day. In others, laws prohibit election officials from taking any action with these ballots until Election Day.

Some states equate tabulation to scanning ballots, while others more narrowly define tabulation as producing results from previously scanned or processed ballots. Laws in many states also leave the term tabulation undefined, in theory allowing for interpretation by state or local election officials. Under all possible definitions of tabulation, individual states may consider it as either part of the processing, or part of the counting phase for absentee/mail-in ballots.

The receipt deadline for absentee/mail-in ballots also affects the time frame when election officials can complete the work of processing and counting. Although most states require voters to return ballots by Election Day, in states where ballots may be counted if received later than the day of the election, the work of processing and counting such ballots will necessarily not begin until after the election regardless of when state law permits or requires officials to begin those steps.

A general chronology of how these steps occur is:

State laws that permit or require actions in the lead-up to an election may reduce the workload for election administrators on or after Election Day, but may increase resource requirements in advance of the election. Taking certain steps before Election Day may help voters to correct issues with a voted ballot in states with cure provisions. Providing deadlines to complete counting absentee/mail-in ballots may contribute to earlier delivery of unofficial results, but may increase resource demands on election administrators or limit the opportunity to review or adjudicate discrepancies in mailed ballots. Allowing election officials to count ballots that arrive after Election Day may ensure more voters have an opportunity to cast a ballot, but may increase the resources required to count ballots and slow down the delivery of results.

Processing

Processing refers to the administrative steps required to prepare ballots for tabulation. Election officials in every state must process absentee/mail-in ballots before counting them. However, laws vary with regard to when processing can begin, what steps are considered part of processing, and what actions election officials may complete during the processing period.

Processing activities may include steps such as verifying the ballot is in the appropriate envelope, comparing signatures or identification numbers on ballots to those in a voter's file, removing ballots from secrecy sleeves or outer envelopes, organizing ballots for tabulation or scanning, and scanning or tabulating ballots without disclosing results.

Some states that verify voter's signatures or eligibility do not consider this as part of processing. For the purposes of this article, processing is considered to be any step taken by an election official to prepare a ballot for inclusion in unofficial election results, including signature and eligibility verification.

HIGHLIGHTS

As of June 2025:

Nineteen states permit election officials to fully process and scan at least some early and absentee/mail-in ballots before Election Day.

Twenty-six and D.C. states permit election officials process at least some aspects of absentee/mail-in ballots before Election Day.

Five states do not permit election officials to begin processing any aspect of absentee/mail-in ballots until Election Day.

The chart below shows the breakdown of when states allow election officials to begin processing ballots relative to Election Day. States that do not specify a date when processing can begin are not included:



The map below shows which states can begin processing activities before Election Day. Full processing includes scanning or tabulating ballots:


The table below includes the date when state law says that processing can begin, the administrative steps election officials may complete as part of processing, and the chapter of statute where this information is found. Note that many in many states, state law does not specify a date, but instead allows processing to begin upon receipt of a ballot.

Processing of Absentee/Mail-In Ballots

State	When Processing Can Begin	Activities permitted during processing	Source
Alabama	7 a.m. on Election Day.	Full processing except for tabulation.	Alabama Code § 17-11-10
Alaska	No start date specified but must begin no later than the 7th day before Election Day.	Review of voter certificates.	Alaska Stat. § 15.20.201
Arizona	Upon receipt.	Full processing including tabulation. State law prohibits election officials from accessing the results of tabulation before Election Day.	Arizona Rev. Stat. § 16-550
Arkansas	Seven days before Election Day.	Opening of outer envelope and review of information included on outer envelope.	Arkansas Code Ann. § 7-5-416
California	As soon as election officials mail voters their ballots, which must start no later than the 29th day before an election.	Full processing including scanning, but no vote count may be accessed or released until 8 p.m. on Election Day.	California Elec. Code § 15101
Colorado	Upon receipt.	Full processing except tabulation.	Colorado Rev. Stat. 1-7.5-107.5
Connecticut	At the discretion of the local registrar of voters.	State law says the secretary must provide a manual that, "shall include a description of the steps to be followed in receiving, handling, counting and preserving absentee ballots." As of June 2025, that manual said, "During the week before the election, primary or referendum, the town clerk may sort the absentee ballots received into voting districts, provided such ballots shall be sorted into voting districts not later than the last day before the election, primary, or referendum which is not a Sunday or legal holiday. The registrar(s) may check, daily during this same period, the names of the absentee electors on the official check list."	Connecticut Gen. Stat. § 9-150a
D.C.	Before Election Day but exact timing not specified.	Full processing except tabulation.	District of Columbia Mun. Regs. § 3-808
Delaware	Thirty days before Election Day.	Full processing including scanning, but no vote count may be "extracted or reported before the polls have closed on the day of the election."	Delaware Code. Ann. Title 15 § 5510
Florida	Upon receipt.	Full processing.	Florida Stat. § 101.68
Georgia	Upon receipt, officials may conduct verification of ID number, voter's date of birth, and oath signature conducted. Further processing can begin at 8 a.m. on the third Monday before Election Day.	Full processing including scanning, but not tabulation.	Georgia Code § 21-2-386
Hawaii	Eighteen days before Election Day.	Full processing including tabulation. No results may be released until the close of polls on Election Day.	Hawaii Rev. Stat. §  15-9, and § 11-108
Idaho	Signature verification conducted upon receipt. Further processing can begin at the open of polls on the day of the election or primary. Ballots are not opened until after the close of polls on Election Day.	Only verification of signatures may occur before Election Day.	Idaho Code § 34-1005, § 34-1007, and § 34-1008
Illinois	Upon receipt.	Full processing except tabulation.	10 Illinois Comp. Stat. 5/19-8
Indiana	Upon receipt.	Full processing except tabulation.	Indiana Code 3-11.5-4-11, and 3-11.5-4-12
Iowa	The day before Election Day if directed by the county commissioner of elections to do so.	Review of voter's affidavit and removal of secrecy envelope. Ballots may not be opened until Election Day.	Iowa Code § 52.23
Kansas	Prior to Election Day, but state law does not specify an exact time.	State law does not specify processing activities, but requires election officials to verify the eligibility of the advance ballot.	Kansas Stat. Ann. § 24-1134, and § 24-1135
Kentucky	Permitted to begin 14 days before Election Day and required to begin by 8 a.m. on Election Day.	Verification of voter's eligibility and signature. Ballots may not be opened until Election Day.	Kentucky Rev. Stat § 117.087
Louisiana	Permitted to begin three days before Election Day with written approval from the secretary of state. Otherwise, the day before the election. Parishes with fewer than 1,000 voters may not begin processing until Election Day.	Full processing, including tabulation. It is prohibited to release results before the close of polls.	Louisiana Stat. Ann. §18:1313, and §18:1313.1
Maine	Seven days before Election Day if the clerk gives notice of processing times at least 30 days before the election.	Full processing except counting.	21-A Maine Rev. Stat. § 759, §760-A, and § 760-B
Maryland	Upon receipt, local officials verify that the ballot includes the required oath. On the eighth business day before the start of early voting, further processing is required to begin, unless a local board has received a waiver from the state administrator of elections allowing them to start later.	Full processing except tabulation.	Maryland Election Code Ann. § 11-302
Massachusetts	Signature verification upon receipt. State law says, "Any early voting ballot cast pursuant to this section may be opened and deposited into a tabulator in advance of the date of the preliminary, primary or election in accordance with regulations promulgated by the state secretary." As of June 2025, this may begin as early as 9 days prior to Election Day.	Full processing including tabulation. Precincts that do not use a tabulator may not tabulate during processing.	Massachusetts Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 54, § 25B
Michigan	Eight days before Election Day in jurisdictions with at least 5,000 people. The Monday before election day in all other jurisdictions.	Full processing including tabulation.	Michigan Comp. Laws §168.765(a)
Minnesota	Upon receipt, election officials verify the signature envelope. Further processing can begin on the 19th day before Election Day.	Full processing except tabulation.	Minnesota Stat. § 203B.121
Mississippi	At the open of polls on Election Day.	Full processing except tabulation.	Mississippi Code Ann. § 23-15-639
Missouri	Five days before Election Day.	Full processing except tabulation.	Missouri Rev. Stat. § 115.299, and § 115.300
Montana	Signature verification conducted upon receipt. Further processing may begin on the third business day before Election Day. Counties with fewer than 8,000 registered voter or 5,000 absentee electors at the close of regular registration may not begin processing until the day before the election.	Full processing except tabulation.	Montana Code Ann. § 13-13-241
Nebraska	Verification can begin the second Friday before Election Day. If approved, the envelope can be opened, the ballot unfolded and flattened and placed in a sealed container.	Full processing except tabulation or scanning.	Nebraska Rev. Stat. §32-1027
Nevada	Upon receipt.	Signature verification conducted upon receipt. Further processing may start when the period to count mail ballots begins, 15 days before the election.	Nevada Rev. Stat. § 293.269927
New Hampshire	As early as two hours after the opening of the polls, is posted and announced. Otherwise, at 1 p.m. on Election Day.	Opening of outer envelope, verification of voter eligibility and properly executed affidavit.	New Hampshire Rev. Stat. § 659:49, § 659:49b, and § 659:50
New Jersey	Signature verification conducted upon receipt. Further processing can begin on the fifth day before the election.	Full processing, including tabulation beginning on the fifth day before the election.	New Jersey Rev. Stat. § 19:63-17, and § 19:63-22
New Mexico	As early as two weeks before Election Day in a county where more officials have sent more than 10,000 absentee ballots for an election. Otherwise, five days before Election Day.	Full processing including tabulation.	New Mexico Stat. Ann. § 1-6-14
New York	Within four days of receipt.	Full processing except tabulation. Ballots may be scanned the day before the first day of early voting.	New York Elec. Law § 9-209
North Carolina	The fifth Tuesday before Election Day.	Full processing including scanning.	North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 163230.1, and § 163‑234
North Dakota	Three business days before Election Day.	Full processing except tabulation.	North Dakota Cent. Code § 16.1-07-12
Ohio	At the discretion of local boards of elections, exact timing not specified.	Full processing, including scanning, but not tabulation.	Ohio Rev. Code § 3509.06
Oklahoma	10 a.m. on the Thursday before Election Day, or earlier if the secretary of the state election board gives written approval.	Full processing not including scanning or tabulation.	Oklahoma Stat. Ann. § 14-123, and § 14-125
Oregon	Upon receipt.	Full processing including scanning.	Oregon Rev. Stat. § 254.478
Pennsylvania	7 a.m. on Election Day. Ballots that are received after this time may not be processed until the close of polls, at earliest, and must be processed no later than the third day after Election Day.	Full processing including tabulation.	25 Pennsylvania Stat. § 3146.8
Rhode Island	Twenty days before Election Day.	Full processing including tabulation.	Rhode Island Gen. Laws § 17-20-26
South Carolina	7 a.m. two days before Election Day.	Verification of voter's oath and witness signatures. Removal of ballots from envelopes may not occur until Election Day.	South Carolina Code Ann. § 7-15-420
South Dakota	On Election Day prior to the close of the polls.	Full processing including tabulation.	South Dakota Codified Laws § 12-19-43
Tennessee	Signature verification conducted upon receipt.	Only signature verification.	Tennessee Code Ann. § 2-6-202, and § 2-6-303
Texas	Signature and eligibility verification begins no more than 20 days before Election Day. Further processing may begin at the end of the early voting period.	Full processing.	Texas Election Code § 87.0241, § 87.027, and § 87.041
Utah	Before Election Day but state law does not specify exact timing.	Full processing.	Utah Code Ann. § 20A-3a-402
Vermont	30 days before Election Day.	Full processing, including placing ballots in tabulator machines. Machines may not be turned on until Election Day,	17 Vermont Stat. Ann. § 2546, § 2546a, and § 2546b
Virginia	Upon receipt.	Full processing including depositing ballots in scanning machines. Verification of voter affirmation must occur upon receipt, but local registrars may wait to conduct further processing until no later than the 7th day before Election Day.	Virginia Code Ann. § 24.2-709.1
Washington	Upon receipt.	Full processing except tabulation.	Washington Rev. Code §  29A.40.110
West Virginia	On Election Day.	Full processing.	West Virginia Code Ann. § 3-3-8
Wisconsin	After the polls open on Election Day.	Full processing.	Wisconsin Stat. § 6.88
Wyoming	The Thursday or Friday preceding Election Day if the county board of commissioners so chooses and the clerk notifies the secretary of state. Otherwise, on Election Day.	Full processing except tabulation.	Wyoming Stat § 22-9-121, and § 22-9-125

As discussed above, some states consider scanning ballots to be part of processing, others as part of counting, while others consider scanning ballots as a unique step. The chart below groups states by when law permits election officials to begin scanning ballots, regardless of whether considered as processing, counting, or neither:

Counting

Counting means the actual tabulation of votes (and processing ballots through tallying machines). Because states define counting differently, the administrative burden implicated by counting varies by state, and sometimes by the type of jurisdiction within a state. In states where election officials may scan or tabulate ballots before Election Day, tabulation may simply mean accessing the results of previously tabulated ballots, or initiating the process whereby tabulation machines tally previously scanned ballots. Elsewhere, counting may entail organizing, scanning, and tallying ballots. In states where at least some precincts hand count ballots, the rules and timelines for tallying may differ depending on the jurisdictions.

HIGHLIGHTS

As of June 2025:

Eighteen states allowed counting to begin before Election Day.

Fifteen states permitted counting to begin before polls close on Election Day.

Seventeen states required counting to begin after polls close on Election Day.

One state—Connecticut—allowed the local registrar of voters to determine when ballots are counted.

Some states also provide a specific deadline by which election officials must complete the counting of absentee/mail-in ballots or otherwise certify the review of absentee/mail-in ballots. As of June 2025, six states specified a deadline. Thirteen states do not specify a completion deadline, but require election officials to continue counting on a predetermined scheduled until all ballots are counted. The remaining states and D.C. do not specify a deadline or schedule for completing the counting of absentee/mail-in ballots.

The table below includes the date, and time if applicable, when state law says that election officials can begin counting absentee/mail-in ballots. It also includes the deadline to finish counting these ballots, if provided by state law, and the chapters of statute where this information is found. Note that in each state where election officials can count absentee/mail-in ballots before Election Day, state law prohibits them from releasing the results before Election Day.

Counting of Absentee/Mail-In Ballots

State	When Counting Can Begin	Counting Deadline	Source
Alabama	After the close of polls on Election Day.	N/A	Alabama Code § 17-11-10
Alaska	8 p.m. on Election Day.	State law says: "Not later than the 15th day following the day of the election, the district absentee ballot counting board shall certify the absentee ballot review."	Alaska Stat. § 15.20.201
Arizona	Tallying can begin immediately after processing, but results may not be released before all precincts have reported or one hour after the close of polls on Election Day, whichever is earlier. Releasing information earlier is a felony.	N/A	Arizona Rev. Stat. § 16-550
Arkansas	8:30 a.m. on Election Day, but results are not reported until after the polls close on Election Day.	State law says: "Absentee and early votes shall be counted prior to the closing of the polls on election day" under § 7-5-416.	Arkansas Code Ann. § 7-5-416
California	A vote count can be accessed or released at 8 p.m. on Election Day.	State law requires election officials to count most ballots by the 13th day after an election and to release a tally of those ballots. There is an exception for some ballots, including those that election officials receive more than four days after the election. State law also requires a report on the number of outstanding unprocessed ballots on the second day after the election, and a daily report on these ballots beginning on the sixth day after the election.	California Elec. Code § 15101, and § 15305
Colorado	Fifteen days before Election Day, but the count cannot be released until after 7 p.m. on Election Day.	There is no specific deadline to complete counting mail ballots but state law says the process "shall continue until counting is completed."	Colorado Rev. Stat. § 1-7.5-107.5, and § 1-7.5-202
Connecticut	At the discretion of the local registrar of voters.	There is no specific deadline to complete counting absentee ballots. State law says the secretary must provide a manual that, "shall include a description of the steps to be followed in receiving, handling, counting and preserving absentee ballots." As of June 2025, the manual said, "Absentee ballots shall be delivered to the counting location at a time prescribed by the registrars of voters on election, primary, or referendum day," and, "When the absentee ballot count and canvass of the tabulators have been completed, the moderator must complete the appropriate Moderator's Returns."	Connecticut Gen. Stat. § 9-150a
D.C.	After the close of polls on Election Day.	There is no specific deadline to complete counting mail-in ballots, but municipal regulations say, "All mail-in ballots received by the Board shall be tabulated as soon as practicable after the deadline for the receipt of mail-in ballots received by mail."	District of Columbia Mun. Regs. § 3-808
Delaware	Tabulation scanning can begin when processing is complete.	N/A	Delaware Code. Ann. Title 15 § 5510
Florida	Upon the completion of the public testing of automatic tabulating equipment (which begins not more than 25 days before early voting commences). Releasing the results early is a felony.	Election officials must upload initial returns to their county’s election management system from early and absentee/mail-in voting ballots by 7 p.m. the day before the election, and must report complete results from these ballots by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. They must deliver updated unofficial results every 45 minutes thereafter until results are complete.	Florida Stat. § 101.68, § 101.5612, and § 102.141
Georgia	7 a.m. on Election Day. Results may not be released until 7 p.m. on the day of the election.	There is no specific deadline to complete counting absentee ballots, however state law requires election officials to release results from ballots received and processed by the Monday before an election by 8 p.m. on Election Day or within one hour of the closing of polls. State law also says, "the returns of verified and accepted absentee ballots cast are reported to the public as soon as possible following the closing of the polls on the day of the primary, election, or runoff."	Georgia Code § 21-2-386
Hawaii	Eighteen days before Election Day, but results cannot be disclosed until after the polls close on Election Day.	State law says. "The initial tabulation of ballots shall be completed no later than 6:00 a.m. on the day following an election day."	Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 11-108
Idaho	After the polls close on Election Day.	N/A	Idaho Code § 34-1007, and § 34-1008
Illinois	After the polls close on Election Day.	There is no specific deadline to complete counting mail voter's ballots, but state law says, " The counting shall continue until all vote by mail voters' ballots and special write-in vote by mail voter's blank ballots required to be counted on election day have been counted."	10 Illinois Comp. Stat. 5/19-8
Indiana	Depending upon the county, 6 a.m. on Election Day or immediately after the electronic poll books used at each polling place or vote center have been updated to indicate the county received the absentee ballot.	N/A	Indiana Code 3-11.5-4-11, and 3-11.5-4-12
Iowa	On Election Day, at a time set by the county election commissioner to allow a reasonable amount of time to complete the count of absentee ballots by 10 p.m. on Election Day. The commissioner may also choose to convene the board the day before the election.	There is no specific deadline to complete counting absentee ballots, but state law says, "the number of precinct election officials appointed to the board shall be sufficient to complete the counting of absentee ballots by 10:00 p.m. on election day."	Iowa Code § 52.23
Kansas	Ballots may be counted prior to Election Day, but final tabulation shall not be completed until Election Day.	N/A	Kansas Stat. Ann. § 24-1134, and § 24-1135
Kentucky	8 a.m. on Election Day. Explicitly prohibits the release of results before 6 p.m.	N/A	Kentucky Rev. Stat § 117.087
Louisiana	Counting may begin before the polls close on Election Day, but no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day.	N/A	Louisiana Stat. Ann. §18:1313, and §18:1313.1
Maine	After the polls close on Election Day.	N/A	21-A Maine Rev. Stat. § 759, §760-A, and § 760-B
Maryland	State law differentiates between "vote tallying" and "vote tabulation." Vote tallying, the "recording of votes cast by individual voters on a certified voting system," may begin on the eighth business day before the start of early voting. Vote tabulation, "the aggregation of the votes cast by individual voters to produce vote totals," may not begin until the polls open on Election Day. It is prohibited to release results until polls close.	There is no specific deadline to complete counting absentee ballots. State law does require local boards of election to release a daily report on the unofficial results of absentee ballot tabulation beginning after the close of polls on Election Day.	Maryland Election Code Ann. § 11-302
Massachusetts	In precincts that use a tabulator, counting can begin as early as 9 days before Election Day.	N/A	Massachusetts Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 54, § 25B
Michigan	Election officials can tabulate ballots during processing before Election Day, if authorized by the local board of election commissioners. Otherwise, at 7 a.m. on Election Day. It is prohibited to access results before the close of polls on Election Day.	N/A	Michigan Comp. Laws §168.765(a).
Minnesota	After the close of polls on Election Day.	N/A	Minnesota Stat. § 203B.121
Mississippi	After the polls close on Election Day.	N/A	Mississippi Code Ann. § 23-15-639
Missouri	On Election Day.	There is no specific deadline to complete the counting of absentee ballots, but state law says, "To count absentee votes on election day, the election authority shall appoint a sufficient number of teams of election judges comprised of an equal number of judges from each major political party."	Missouri Rev. Stat. § 115.299
Montana	One day before Election Day, if using a vote-counting machine. Tabulation using a manual count may not begin until Election Day. It is prohibited to release results before the close of polls on Election Day.	N/A	Montana Code Ann. § 13-13-241
Nebraska	Twenty-four hours before the opening of the polls. It is prohibited to release results until after polls close on Election Day.	N/A	Nebraska Rev. Stat. §32-1027
Nevada	Fifteen days before Election Day. Results may not be reported until the close of the polls.	Counting must be complete by the seventh day after Election Day.	Nevada Rev. Stat. § 293.269931
New Hampshire	After the close of polls on Election Day.	N/A	New Hampshire Rev. Stat. § 659:49
New Jersey	Five days before Election Day. It is prohibited to release results before polls close on Election Day.	N/A	New Jersey Rev. Stat.§19:63-22
New Mexico	Absentee ballots are inserted into vote-counting machines before Election Day, but votes are not counted until after the polls close. It is unlawful for a person to disclose the results of a count prior to the close of the polls or the deadline for receiving mailed ballots.	There is no specific deadline to complete counting absentee ballots, but state law says, "An absent voter election board that recesses at 11:00 p.m. [on Election Day] shall continue its work only between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. on each subsequent day until the board has completed its work."	New Mexico Stat. Ann. § 1-6-14
New York	One hour before the polls close on Election Day. It is prohibited to released results until after the close of polls.	N/A	New York Elec. Law § 9-209
North Carolina	2 p.m. on Election Day if a resolution is adopted at least two weeks before the election to allow counting at this time. Otherwise, 5 p.m. It is prohibited to release results before 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.	State law says, "No later than 5:00 P.M. on the third business day after the election, the county board shall announce the tally of all absentee ballots."	North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 163230.1, and § 163‑234
North Dakota	After the close of polls on Election Day.	N/A	North Dakota Cent. Code § 16.1-07-12
Ohio	Exact timing not specified, but may begin before the close of polls so long as no vote totals are released until thereafter,	N/A	Ohio Rev. Code § 3509.06
Oklahoma	On Election Day, or prior to Election Day if the secretary of the state election board gives written approval. It is prohibited to access a printout of election results earlier than 7 p.m. on Election Day.	N/A	Oklahoma Stat. Ann. § 14-123, and § 14-125
Oregon	If a counting board counts ballots, counting may begin on the day of the election. If a vote tallying system is used, an exact time is not specified, but it is prohibited to release results of a tally before 8 p.m. on Election Day.	There is no specific deadline to complete the counting of mailed ballots, however, if counted by a counting board, state law says that, "after the tally has begun it shall continue until completed." If the tallying process takes more than 12 hours than the counting board may be relieved by another board.	Oregon Rev. Stat. § 254.478, § 254.485, and § 260.705
Pennsylvania	At 7 a.m. on Election Day. It is prohibited to record or release results before the close of polls.	N/A	25 Pennsylvania Stat. § 3146.8
Rhode Island	The state board may begin tabulating ballots at 8 p.m. on Election Day.	There is no specific deadline to complete the counting of mailed ballots, but state law says the state board, "shall continue and complete the tabulation with all reasonable expedition by using an optical scan count system."	Rhode Island Gen. Laws § 17-20-26
South Carolina	7 a.m. on Election Day. It is prohibited to release results until after the polls close.	N/A	South Carolina Code Ann. § 7-15-420
South Dakota	After the polls close on Election Day.	N/A	South Dakota Codified Laws § 12-19-43, and § 12-19-46
Tennessee	After the polls open on Election Day but no later than four hours before polls close for general elections, or two hours before for all other elections.	N/A	Tennessee Code Ann. § 2-6-202, § 2-6-303, and § 2-6-304
Texas	At the end of the early in-person voting period in counties with more than 100,000 people. Otherwise, when polls open on Election Day.	N/A	Texas Election Code § 87.0241, § 87.027, and § 87.041
Utah	Counting may begin before Election Day but state law does not specify exact timing. It is prohibited to report results until after the close of polls on Election Day.	N/A	Utah Code Ann. § 20A-3a-402
Vermont	After the close of polls on Election Day.	N/A	17 Vermont Stat. Ann. § 2546, § 2546a, and § 2546b
Virginia	After polls close on Election Day, but officials may insert ballots into counting machines prior to the close of polls. If a jurisdiction counts absentee ballots by hand, tallying may begin after noon on Election Day. It is prohibited to release vote counts until after the polls close.	N/A	Virginia Code Ann. § 24.2-709.1, and § 24.2-712
Washington	8 p.m. on Election Day. It is prohibited to release results before that time.	N/A	Washington Rev. Code §  29A.40.110, and §  29A.84.730
West Virginia	On Election Day. It is prohibited to release results until the polls close and precinct returns are posted on the door of polling places.	There is no specific deadline to complete the counting of absentee ballots, but state law says that a counting board "may not adjourn until the work is completed."	West Virginia Code Ann. § 3-3-8, and § 3-6-6
Wisconsin	After the polls open on Election Day.	N/A	Wisconsin Stat. § 6.88
Wyoming	On Election Day. It is prohibited to release results before polls close.	N/A	Wyoming Stat § 22-9-121, and § 22-9-125

Ballot receipt deadlines

Regardless of when state laws permit election officials to process or count ballots, starting this work depends on the date that they receive completed ballots.

HIGHLIGHTS

As of December 2025:

One state—Louisiana—required ballots returned by mail to be received the day before Election Day.

Thirty-five states required a ballot be received by Election Day.

Five states had a receipt deadline between one and four days after the election.

Seven states and D.C. had a deadline between five and 10 days after Election Day.

Two states—Illinois and Washington—had a deadline between 14 and 20 days after the election.

Every state that accepts ballots after Election Day requires that the ballot has a postmark on or before Election Day to be counted.

See also

• Absentee/mail-in voting
• Cure period for absentee and mail-in ballots
• Election Policy
• Factors affecting the speed of ballot counting and delivery of unofficial election results, with a case study of California and Florida

Footnotes

Ballotpedia

About

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Executive: Leslie Graves, Founder and CEO • Gwen Beattie, Chief Operating Officer

Communications: Alison Graves, Director of Communications • Carley Allensworth • Abigail Campbell • Frank Festa • Sarah Groat • Nathaniel Harwood • Dillon Redmond
External Relations: Geoff Pallay, Director of External Relations • Ken Carbullido, Vice President of Election Product and Technology Strategy • Ashley Fleming • Thomas Mardik • Hannah Nelson
Operations: Meghann Olshefski, Director of Operations • Amanda Herbert • Mandy Morris • Caroline Presnell • Kelly Rindfleisch
Tech: Matt Latourelle, Director of Technology Operations • Ryan Burch • Kirsten Corrao • Beth Dellea • Travis Eden • Tate Kamish • Margaret Kearney • Eric Lotto • Joseph Sanchez • Mary Susmitha

Contributors: Scott Rasmussen

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Editorial Content

Josh Altic, Director of Content • Daniel Anderson, Associate Director of Elections & Data • Cory Eucalitto, Associate Director of Features • Ryan Byrne, Managing Editor of Ballot Measures • Mandy McConnell, Managing Editor of News • Doug Kronaizl, Managing Editor of Local Expansion • Abbey Smith, Managing Editor of Elections • Janie Valentine, Managing Editor of Law • Joel Williams, Managing Editor of Events • Joseph Greaney, Managing Editor of Policy • Andrew Bahl • Jaclyn Beran • Marielle Bricker • Joseph Brusgard • Emma Burlingame • Kelly Coyle • Jon Dunn • Victoria Edwards • Thomas Ellis • Nicole Fisher • Thomas Grobben • Brianna Hosea • Molly Kehoe • Tyler King • Glorie Martinez • Norm Leahy, Senior Editor • Nathan Maxwell • Jimmy McAllister • Brandon McCauley • Ellie Mikus • Ellen Morrissey • Mackenzie Murphy • Kaley Platek • Samantha Post • Adam Powell • Annelise Reinwald • Spencer Richardson • Victoria Rose • Briana Ryan • Myj Saintyl • Maddy Salucka • Emma Soukup • Alexis Thacker • Mina Vogel • Samuel Wonacott • Trenton Woodcox