State laws, voting patterns, and competitive races affect when results are available.
Election nights are tinged with excitement as voters await results from the states while media outlets race to be the first to “call” races based on incomplete and unofficial results. While some observers may lament the fact that some states are slower to finish counting and reporting results, the fact is election results are never official on election night. And there are three key reasons for varying timelines across states:
- State laws vary regarding how and when election officials can begin processing, verifying, and counting ballots.
- Voting patterns vary from state to state, leading to unique issues related to when results are reported.
- In close races, particularly in battleground states, a higher percentage of the vote is required to be counted than those with wider margins before media outlets can make an unofficial call.
These factors can lead to longer wait times for election results and races to be called. They may also lead to fluctuations around which candidate is leading at various points throughout the vote counting period. While past elections provide some predictions around when results may become available in each state, changes to voting patterns (e.g., the 2020 surge in mail voting amid the COVID-19 pandemic) and changes to state rules governing the ballot counting process will affect the timing of counting and reporting this year. For example, states that are allowed to process mail ballots days ahead of Election Day will generally report results more quickly.
Below, we discuss how these various factors will impact competitive statewide races in the 2024 general election.
Election Officials Can Report Results Faster in States with Pre-Processing Laws, Election Day Ballot Deadlines
Georgia: State law allows election officials to process and verify mail ballots as soon as they are received from voters. So far, mail ballot requests in 2024 are much lower than they were in 2020 (fewer than 300,000 have been requested as of October 18, 2024 vs. over 1.3 million mail ballots returned in 2020), meaning election officials should be able to complete the counting process more quickly.
Florida: Florida has a reputation for reporting results quickly due to state law allowing election officials to begin processing and verifying mail ballots weeks before Election Day. Additionally, Florida voters have limited options to return ballots on Election Day, which keeps the volume of ballots needing quick turnaround low.
Michigan: In 2022, Michigan voters approved a state constitutional amendment, allowing election officials to begin processing and verifying mail ballots eight days before Election Day (one week earlier than in 2020).
Montana: Montana law allows more populous counties (8,000 or more registered voters) to begin processing and verifying mail ballots three days before Election Day.
Nebraska: Election officials in Nebraska may begin processing and verifying mail ballots 11 days before Election Day.
New Hampshire: While New Hampshire law does not allow pre-processing, mail ballot usage rates are generally low, allowing election officials to process ballots more quickly on Election Day.
North Carolina: County election boards in North Carolina must begin processing and verifying mail ballots five weeks before Election Day. A 2023 law eliminated the three-day post-election grace period for ballots postmarked by Election Day, so we should expect results more quickly in 2024.
Ohio: Ohio law allows counties to begin processing and verifying mail ballots 29 days before Election Day. Typically, Ohio will report the majority of the mail ballot count by 8 p.m. on election night.
Texas: Texas county officials must begin processing and verifying mail ballots nine days before Election Day. Mail ballot volume is limited, since only certain voters are eligible to vote by mail. Additionally, Texas has strict laws requiring Election Day polling locations to report results quickly.
State Laws Prohibiting Pre-Processing Cause Longer Waiting Period
Pennsylvania: Election officials in Pennsylvania may not begin processing and verifying mail ballots until polls open on Election Day. The volume of mail ballots in the Commonwealth has risen sharply ever since a 2019 law expanded mail ballot eligibility to all registered voters. These factors lead to a waiting period for results to be reported while election workers work diligently to verify and count every ballot.
Wisconsin: Like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin prohibits election officials from processing and verifying mail ballots until polls open on Election Day. While local election officials have worked hard to streamline ballot processing since 2020, Wisconsin’s laws prohibiting pre-processing may increase the likelihood of a waiting period for results in 2024.
Later Ballot Return Deadlines and Voter Behavior Explains Waiting Periods in Other States
Arizona: Though Arizona’s ballot return deadline is similar to the other states that typically report results quickly (when polls close), as has become routine, hundreds of thousands of Arizona voters will return their mail ballots on Election Day. Election officials will need sufficient time to process and verify those ballots returned on Election Day, which may lead to a waiting period for results.
Nevada: Nevada conducts its elections primarily by mail, making it unique among the states discussed here. Each active registered voter is automatically mailed a ballot a few weeks before Election Day. Additionally, state law requires election officials to accept mail ballots as long as they are postmarked by Election Day and received no later than four days after Election Day. The high volume of mail ballots and later return deadline may lead to a waiting period for results; however,state law requires election officials to complete mail ballot counting seven days after Election Day.
The bottom line: No matter what state you live in or when results are reported, voters can rest assured knowing that teams of people from both parties work together at every step of the voting, counting, and reporting process to ensure the election is safe, fair, and accessible.