It’s Official! It’s Unofficial!

Voting is over. But our elections are not. From November 6-21, a series of post-election activities will take place at local, county and state levels to test the accuracy of our elections, manage any discrepancies, and certify the official results. The timeline for selecting the president will extend through January 6, 2025, when state electors come together in Washington D.C. to affirm their state’s choice to be the next US President. 

Follow my Election Certification blog post in the weeks (and months!) to come, as I review all the important dates, terms and actions associated with the certification of our 2024 elections. Understanding post-election activities is more than just a civics lesson. They also demonstrate how our elections are built around a transparent system of laws and protocols that clearly specify “who does what by when,” and are filled with safeguards and ways to manage discrepancies. Votes are not cast, and then counted and verified in secret - the results of our elections are managed with party-balance, on dates and times specified in statute, often shared in public settings that people can observe, audited for accuracy, and certified with confidence. 

Understanding how our elections are certified also helps to dispel misinformation, reminds voters how they can participate in the process, and provides reassurance that our election protocols include opportunities for ongoing input and review.

Thanks for taking the time to follow along with me in the weeks to come!

Michelle Witte, Executive Director