A graphical representation of election results, including the percentage of votes counted and a list of winners and losers for each race.
When polls close, media outlets start collecting unofficial results in real time from local counting locations and from sources like government websites. This data is used to make a prediction about who will win (sometimes called a “call”) and is shared with viewers by news outlets. The process of collecting and analyzing data in this way can go on for days or weeks after Election Day, but it is important to remember that the result still remains unofficial until election officials finish the official count.
Once the official results are certified by election officials, they will be shared with voters. During this process, the full results of every race will be verified and double checked. This includes continuing to count mail-in ballots; adding any verified provisional ballots; and reviewing any clerical errors in the results. This process is called a canvass and happens in every state after an election.
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