Do they count mail in ballots first
In the United States, the process of counting mail-in ballots can vary from state to state, but generally, they are counted after Election Day. Here's a general overview of how it typically works:
- Collection and processing: Mail-in ballots are collected from voters and processed by election officials. This may involve verifying the voter's identity, checking the signature on the ballot envelope, and ensuring that the ballot was received by the deadline.
- Sorting and tabulation: The processed mail-in ballots are then sorted and tabulated separately from in-person votes cast on Election Day. This is often done using specialized equipment, such as optical scanners or tabulators, which read the marked ballots and count the votes.
- Counting: In most states, mail-in ballots are counted after Election Day, usually on the day after or a few days later. This allows election officials to verify the results and ensure that all votes are counted accurately.
- Canvass and certification: After all votes are counted, including mail-in ballots, the results are canvassed (verified) and certified by election officials. This ensures that the results are accurate and meet the state's election laws and regulations.
Some states, like California, Colorado, and Oregon, have implemented "same-day" counting for mail-in ballots, where they are counted on Election Day or shortly after. However, this is not the case in most states.
It's worth noting that the counting of mail-in ballots can be a time-consuming process, and the results may not be available immediately. Election officials may need to verify the signatures on the ballot envelopes, resolve any issues with the ballots, and ensure that all votes are counted accurately.