Does pa count mail in ballots first
In Pennsylvania, mail-in ballots are counted in a specific order, which is outlined in the state's election code. Here's how it works:
- Pre-canvassing: Before Election Day, county election officials conduct a pre-canvassing process to review and prepare mail-in ballots. This includes:
- Verifying the voter's registration and eligibility.
- Checking the ballot for any errors or omissions.
- Removing any ballots that are incomplete, invalid, or duplicate.
- Sorting and batching: The pre-canvassed mail-in ballots are then sorted and batched by county, precinct, and voting machine. This helps to ensure that ballots are counted accurately and efficiently.
- Counting: On Election Day, the sorted and batched mail-in ballots are counted using voting machines or scanners. The counting process typically begins early in the morning and continues throughout the day.
- Post-canvassing: After the polls close, county election officials conduct a post-canvassing process to review and verify the results. This includes:
- Re-counting any ballots that were rejected during the pre-canvassing process.
- Resolving any disputes or issues that arose during the counting process.
- Certifying the final results.
It's worth noting that Pennsylvania law requires that mail-in ballots be counted on the same day as the election, unless there are extraordinary circumstances that prevent it. In such cases, the ballots may be counted the following day.
Overall, Pennsylvania's process for counting mail-in ballots is designed to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the election results.