Ohio's bipartisan election officials begin a multi-step process to verify results and ensure every eligible vote is counted
(COLUMBUS) — As polls close across Ohio at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Secretary of State Frank LaRose reminds Ohioans that Election Night is just the beginning of a thorough, bipartisan process to verify election results.
"Ohioans can have confidence that our election process doesn't end when the polls close," said Secretary LaRose. "While we pride ourselves on delivering 100% of the unofficial result on Election Night, the work continues for our bipartisan election officials as they carefully review the results, account for every eligible ballot, and conduct additional checks before the election is officially certified. Speed and accuracy work hand in hand for the benefit of every Ohioan."
Under Ohio law, each of the state's 88 bipartisan county boards of elections follows a series of steps before results become official:
1. Election Night: Reporting Unofficial Results
After polls close, county boards of elections tabulate ballots cast on Election Day and eligible absentee ballots, including early in-person votes and mail ballots. These unofficial results are reported to the Secretary of State's office and made available to the public at LiveResults.OhioSoS.gov. The first results reported will be the absentee by mail and early, in-person ballots, followed by the Election Day precincts.
2. The Days After Election Day: Reviewing Outstanding Ballots
County election officials review provisional ballots to determine voter eligibility. Voters who need to provide additional identification or correct certain absentee ballot deficiencies have four days after Election Day to do so. Eligible military and overseas absentee ballots received by mail within four days after Election Day are also included in the final count.
3. Official Canvass: Verifying and Certifying Results
Between five and 15 days after Election Day, county boards begin the official canvass, carefully reviewing election records, resolving discrepancies, and counting all remaining eligible ballots. Boards of elections must complete the official canvass and certify their results no later than 21 days after Election Day. County certifications will be reviewed by the Ohio Secretary of State’s office prior to the final statewide certification. Ohio law only allows the Ohio Secretary of State’s office to release results two times: once on Election Night and once following the Official Canvass.
4. Recounts: Reviewing Close Races
The Secretary of State must order an automatic recount for any statewide election when the vote difference between votes cast for the declared winner and loser is less than one-fourth of one percent (0.25 percent) of the total votes cast in the race or issue. (Ohio Election Official Manual, CH. 11 P. 414)
5. Post-Election Audits: An Additional Layer of Verification
County boards conduct post-election audits that include hand-counting selected paper ballots and comparing those totals with the electronically tabulated results. These audits provide an additional independent check of election accuracy. Learn more about how Ohio conducts post-election audits here.
"Ohio's elections are built on bipartisan accountability, paper ballots, and multiple layers of verification," added LaRose. "Election Night gives us the initial, unofficial results. The days and weeks that follow confirm that those results are accurate."
For official election information and results, visit VoteOhio.gov.
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