When results come in on election night and in the days after, emotions can run high—from pride and optimism to frustration and anxiety. These feelings are likely to be even more intense as Americans contemplate what the results mean for their values, communities and hopes for the future. And with the rise of fake news, misinformation and conspiracy theories, it’s important to remain grounded in the facts by choosing credible sources like AP and Reuters and staying away from sensational content found on social media sites such as TikTok and Facebook.
While announcing results on election night, news outlets collect unofficial estimates from voters who have already cast their ballots (exit polls) and then use these calculations to make predictions about the outcome of each race—often referred to as a call. This collection process continues for hours, days or sometimes weeks after a call is made until all votes are counted and official results are certified.
The exact procedures that take place before a race is officially called vary by state, but typically include a review of all ballots by election officials to ensure they are counted correctly; adding any verified provisional or absentee ballots; and counting mail-in ballots whose deadlines fall after Election Day. Certification of election results at the local and state level also varies by jurisdiction, with some counties having an elected official, such as a county auditor or municipal clerk, and others relying on multi-member boards to certify results.