The results of an election summarize the votes cast in a race. A variety of steps take place after the polls close to ensure that every vote is counted and the final results are official. The process is called a canvass. It takes time, but it is essential for ensuring that all voters have their voices heard.
During and after an election, news outlets provide updates on the progress of vote counting. There is often variation between different media outlets’ trackers, as they allocate resources differently and some sources may be able to report results more quickly than others. However, these variations do not reflect inconsistencies in the actual count.
The final election results are not known until the canvass is complete and the official state results are certified. During this time, the chief election official (typically the secretary of state) oversees the canvass and makes sure all ballots are counted and that there are no clerical errors.
Some states allow for early in-person and mail voting before Election Day, which can add to the overall totals of a race. The media typically conducts polls of these voters to help predict and analyze election results.
Some studies have linked electoral outcomes to changes in socioeconomic factors such as unemployment, divorce rates, and alcohol consumption. However, it can be challenging to determine if these effects are causal and whether they affect a voter’s choice of candidate or his/her subsequent behavior in other ways.