HeelYeah2012
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The American people deserve better. If some states can count all of their vote within a couple hours of polls closing, there shouldn’t be other states where it takes weeks.
Gallego/Lake
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This is a link to a summary of state-specific vote counting rules. Note the last paragraph I've included below:
How Vote Counting Rules Have Changed in Key States Since 2020
While Michigan made it easier to release results quickly, other key states refused to change outdated restrictions or erected new hurdles.
Arizona
Mail ballots dropped off on Election Day were already a significant contributor to slower results in Arizona’s largest county, and the legislature added one more step for counting these ballots.
With frequent high-profile close elections, Arizona has received a lot of attention in recent cycles as the public has waited for days after Election Day to find out election outcomes. While Arizona election officials can generally begin processing and tabulating ballots mailed to voters (called “early ballots” in Arizona) early, election officials cannot retrieve and process these ballots deposited in a secure ballot drop box at a voting location on Election Day until polls close and all voters have left. This requirement contributes significantly to slower election results in the state — in Maricopa County (Arizona’s largest), nearly a fifth of all votes cast in the 2022 general election were early ballots dropped off on Election Day.
In February of this year, the legislature added a new step to this process: county election officials must count and report the number of ballots dropped off on Election Day before processing and tabulating them. Election officials have generally interpreted this to require the counting to take place at the voting location, before the ballots are transported to the central counting location. The impact of this law on the timeline for releasing unofficial results may be minimal in most counties, as state law also prohibits releasing results until at least one hour after the polls close. However, particularly in larger counties, this may delay election results.
Beyond this change, vote counting will largely follow the same process as in 2020. However, in at least one Arizona county, there is one non-process change that may further slow results reporting this November. In 2020, Maricopa County voters used one-card ballots (ballot cards are individual pieces of paper); in 2024, Maricopa County voters will use two-card ballots due largely to the additional page space required by local ballot measures. This means that Maricopa County election officials will need to process and tabulate votes cast on approximately twice as many pieces of paper compared to 2020.
superrific
Inconceivable Member
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It's very on point for Republicans to a) implement massive hurdles to slow vote counting; and b) complain that votes aren't counted quickly.This is a link to a summary of state-specific vote counting rules. Note the last paragraph I've included below:
How Vote Counting Rules Have Changed in Key States Since 2020
While Michigan made it easier to release results quickly, other key states refused to change outdated restrictions or erected new hurdles.www.brennancenter.org
Arizona
Mail ballots dropped off on Election Day were already a significant contributor to slower results in Arizona’s largest county, and the legislature added one more step for counting these ballots.
With frequent high-profile close elections, Arizona has received a lot of attention in recent cycles as the public has waited for days after Election Day to find out election outcomes. While Arizona election officials can generally begin processing and tabulating ballots mailed to voters (called “early ballots” in Arizona) early, election officials cannot retrieve and process these ballots deposited in a secure ballot drop box at a voting location on Election Day until polls close and all voters have left. This requirement contributes significantly to slower election results in the state — in Maricopa County (Arizona’s largest), nearly a fifth of all votes cast in the 2022 general election were early ballots dropped off on Election Day.
In February of this year, the legislature added a new step to this process: county election officials must count and report the number of ballots dropped off on Election Day before processing and tabulating them. Election officials have generally interpreted this to require the counting to take place at the voting location, before the ballots are transported to the central counting location. The impact of this law on the timeline for releasing unofficial results may be minimal in most counties, as state law also prohibits releasing results until at least one hour after the polls close. However, particularly in larger counties, this may delay election results.
Beyond this change, vote counting will largely follow the same process as in 2020. However, in at least one Arizona county, there is one non-process change that may further slow results reporting this November. In 2020, Maricopa County voters used one-card ballots (ballot cards are individual pieces of paper); in 2024, Maricopa County voters will use two-card ballots due largely to the additional page space required by local ballot measures. This means that Maricopa County election officials will need to process and tabulate votes cast on approximately twice as many pieces of paper compared to 2020.
It's so fucking frustrating. They've stopped even trying. The GOP is just a wish list of goodies. Give me this, give me that, give me everything I want, it doesn't matter if my demands are inconsistent and contradictory, I want it, and I want it now. It doesn't matter if it's important or not important; it doesn't matter if it's possible; it doesn't matter if other people want something different. Give me what I want now!
lawtig02
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I have to agree with HeelYeah on this one. I don’t consider Florida to be an example for much, but after the 2000 debacle, they got their vote counting shit together. That would be a great model for all states.
HY, how about we add Florida vote counting rules to the Freedom to Vote Act and let that be the Pubs’ first major legislative accomplishment. Deal?
HY, how about we add Florida vote counting rules to the Freedom to Vote Act and let that be the Pubs’ first major legislative accomplishment. Deal?
superrific
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My understanding is that many of the Western states use voting by mail because they are so spread out and have large Indian populations. It's unrealistic to expect people to drive 50 miles to vote; it's arguably illegal to make Native Americans do that; and it's ridiculously expensive to invest in polling locations out in the middle of Elko County.
And because the mail is slow out there for similar reasons, ballots can take a while to arrive. Which is why those states accept ballots that arrive after election day -- otherwise, it would massively disadvantage voters who are at the whims of inconsistent post office service.
GoHeelsweeeehoooo
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Actually I would argue it's better to take their time and make sure the count is right rather than hurry and get it wrong - the new Congress doesnt start until January 3rd so plenty of time to count all the votes
BillOfRights
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Democrat Ruben Gallego wins Arizona US Senate race against Republican Kari Lake
Gallego’s victory prevents Republicans from further padding their Senate majority.
apnews.com
ZenMode
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There are still 19 uncalled races.
The majority of the races are in California, with others in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Louisiana, Iowa, Ohio, Maine and two in Arizona.
Congressional District is still undecided, with one of the Democratic candidates leading.
Maine: 1 seat
The seat in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District was still not called, with the incumbent Democrat Jared Golden leading just slightly early Monday.
Ohio: 1 seat
Democratic incumbent Marcy Kaptur was leading in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District on Monday.
Oregon: 1 seat
One seat in Oregon is yet to be determined, in the state’s 5th Congressional District.
Democratic candidate Janelle Bynum was leading against the incumbent GOP, Lori Chavez-DeRemer. If Bynum pulls out a win, this would be a seat flipped for the Democrats.
Washington, 1 seat
Washington’s remaining seat is guaranteed to go to Republicans, as both candidates were in the GOP. The incumbent candidate was leading.
How many House seats are still undecided? Live results
Many undeclared seats for the House were in the western U.S. or in swing districts. Here’s a look at what’s already flipped, and what’s left to be called.