In a democracy, people’s willingness to accept election outcomes as legitimate depends on their perceptions of electoral integrity. Whether the election is a close one, as with the recent defeat of Kamala Harris in the United States or a blowout like Narendra Modi in India, Shigeru Ishiba in Japan, or Cyril Ramaphosa in South Africa, electoral processes are teeming with potential opportunities for manipulation and disinformation.
Consequently, voters expect election officials to communicate results in an honest and transparent manner. In many systems, election results are reported on election night based on ballot counts from polling stations. These results are then sent to intermediate tabulation centers and finally, consolidated at the ward, district, and regional/provincial or national levels.
It is common for races to trade leads between candidates throughout election night and even after as additional ballots are counted and verified through the canvass and audit process. These steps can take days (and sometimes weeks) to complete and certify the winner of a race. Depending on state or territory law, a mix of professional election administrators, local volunteers and observers, and citizens may be involved in these steps.
As a result, it’s important to find out about how these processes work and what to expect after the vote is cast. Trusted information sources include news organizations, such as the Associated Press or Reuters, and nonpartisan, independent organizations, such as FairVote. Avoid sources that emphasize sensational headlines or drama, as they can exacerbate stress and anxiety.
About the Author
