Have mail ins been counted
In the 2020 United States presidential election, mail-in ballots, also known as absentee ballots, were a significant portion of the total votes cast. The counting of these ballots varied by state, as each state has its own laws and procedures for handling mail-in ballots.
In general, mail-in ballots were counted in the following ways:
- Pre-processing: Mail-in ballots were first pre-processed to ensure they were valid and complete. This included checking the voter's registration, verifying the signature on the ballot, and ensuring that all required information was included.
- Tabulation: Once pre-processed, the mail-in ballots were tabulated using voting machines or optical scanners. The ballots were fed into the machines or scanners, which read the marks or votes and recorded them electronically.
- Canvassing: After tabulation, the mail-in ballots were canvassed, which involved reviewing the results to ensure accuracy and detect any errors or discrepancies.
- Certification: Finally, the mail-in ballots were certified by election officials, who verified that the results were accurate and complete.
In some states, mail-in ballots were counted on Election Day, while in others, they were counted in the days or weeks following the election. The timing of the counting varied depending on the state's laws and procedures.
It's worth noting that some states, such as California, Colorado, and Oregon, have automatic voter registration and conduct all-mail elections, where all voters receive a mail-in ballot and can vote by mail. In these states, mail-in ballots are typically counted on Election Day or shortly after.
Overall, the counting of mail-in ballots was an important part of the 2020 presidential election, and it played a significant role in determining the outcome of the election.