The United States is hours away from going to the polls. Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump have been campaigning tirelessly over the past few months, reaching out to voters and presenting their case.
This time, about 95 percent of registered voters live in areas where paper ballots will be the primary way to vote.
Here’s how votes are cast and counted in US elections.
How are American elections conducted?
Unlike many countries with centralized electoral bodies, the US has a highly decentralized electoral system. While the Federal Election Commission oversees campaign finance laws, state and local officials manage the election process. Each state sets its own election rules, from voter eligibility to ballot design and counting procedures. Thus, voting and vote counting procedures can vary widely across the country.
Voting methods in 2024 elections
Voters in the US cast their ballots in three primary ways:
- Hand-marked paper ballots: The most common method used by 69.9 percent of voters involved marking paper ballots by hand.
- Ballot Marking Devices (BMDs): Used by 25.1 percent of voters, BMDs are computerized systems that allow voters to select options on a screen, and then print a paper ballot to confirm their choice. This method, implemented under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), includes accessibility features for individuals with disabilities.
- Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) System: This electronic method, similar to India’s EVMs, stores votes electronically without any paper trail. DRE use has declined rapidly due to security concerns, with only 5 percent of voters in Louisiana and Nevada relying on these systems.
The 2000 election, marked by the notorious “butterfly ballot” issues in Florida, emphasized the need for ballot clarity and led to the initial shift toward electronic voting. Security concerns – particularly after reports of interference in the 2016 election – marked the return of paper-based systems. Today, electronic voting is limited, with most areas relying on hand-marked ballot papers or BMDs.
How are votes counted?
Votes cast on hand-marked paper ballots and BMDs are usually scanned using optical scanners that automatically record and tabulate the results. This process is followed by state-level audit, which may involve machine-assisted or manual verification. States have different deadlines for certifying the results, with final official vote tallies required by December 11 this year.
individual vote
Votes cast on Election Day or during early voting are counted after the polls close. Paper ballots are sent to counting centers, while digital voting machine data is transmitted electronically or delivered by hand for processing.
mail-in ballot
The rules for processing and counting mail-in ballots vary by state. Many states allow officials to verify ballots before Election Day, but counting often begins on Election Day, and results continue until polls close.
Verification of mail-in ballots
Every state requires signatures on mail-in ballots. Many use signature matching, and some require additional verification, such as a witness signature or notarization, depending on state rules.
ballot treatment
In states that allow ballot correction, voters can correct errors such as mismatched signatures to ensure their ballot is counted. Some states require treatment until Election Day, while others allow it after. Eight states do not allow ballot processing.
provisional ballot
If a voter’s eligibility is uncertain, provisional ballots are used and are counted by hand after verification. Military and overseas ballots also add to the timeline due to their verification requirements.
electoral college
The US President is elected by 538 electors representing all states and the District of Columbia, based on the population of each state. Except for Maine and Nebraska, each state operates under a “winner-take-all” system, awarding all of its electoral votes to the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state. To win, a candidate must secure at least 270 electoral votes.
Certification and inauguration
On January 6, the electoral votes were counted at a joint session of Congress presided over by the Vice President. If a candidate reaches 270 votes, he or she is declared president-elect, even if he or she loses the national popular vote. The inauguration takes place on January 20, when the president-elect takes the oath of office for a four-year term.
