It seems you have provided a portion of an article that describes the process of counting votes on Election Day, specifically in the context of the United States. To fulfill your request for information on how votes are counted on Election Day, I’ll continue from where the text left off, summarizing the common methods and procedures typically involved in vote counting:
Optical Scan Ballots
Where optical scan ballots are used, voters mark their choices on a paper ballot that is then fed into an optical scanner. The scanner reads the marked areas and records the votes for each candidate or measure. These systems can often detect overvotes (where more than one choice is marked in a race) or undervotes (where no choice is marked), which can then be reviewed by election officials.
Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) Systems
DRE voting machines record votes electronically. When the polls close, the votes are tabulated directly from the machine’s memory. These systems can produce a paper trail that can be used for audits or recounts. The results are usually sent electronically to a central tabulation facility.
Central Counting
In some jurisdictions, all ballots, whether paper or from DREs, are sent to a central location for counting. Here, the votes from various precincts are aggregated, and the final tally is computed.
Initial Tabulation
After the polls close, the initial tabulation of votes occurs. This can be a quick process for electronic systems, but it may take longer for paper-based systems. The results from each precinct or counting location are reported to the central election office.
Canvassing and Certification
After the initial count, the results go through a canvassing process where election officials verify that all votes have been counted correctly. This includes checking for any discrepancies, ensuring that the number of votes cast matches the number of voters who signed in, and accounting for any provisional or overseas ballots.
Recounts and Audits
If the margin of victory is very close, a recount may be required by law or requested by a candidate. Recounts can be a meticulous process, often involving hand-counting ballots. In some states, routine audits are conducted after elections to ensure the accuracy of the vote count.
Reporting Results
Finally, once the canvassing is complete and any necessary recounts or audits have been conducted, the election results are certified. The certified results are then reported to the public and used to determine the outcome of the election.
The exact process can vary significantly from one jurisdiction to another due to different state laws, local procedures, and the use of various voting technologies. It is also designed with checks and balances to ensure the integrity of the vote count.
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