It will be several hours before the United States votes. Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump have campaigned tirelessly in recent months, reaching voters and presenting their cases.
This time, nearly 95 percent of registered voters live in areas where paper ballots will be the primary way to vote.
Here’s an overview of how votes are cast and counted in the US elections.
How American elections are organized
Unlike many countries with centralized election bodies, the US has a highly decentralized election system. While the Federal Election Commission oversees campaign finance laws, state and local authorities administer the election process. Each state sets its election rules, from voter eligibility to ballot design and counting procedures. Thus, voting and vote counting processes can vary widely across the country.
Voting methods in the 2024 elections
Voters in the US cast their ballots through three primary methods:
- Hand-marked paper ballots: The most common method, used by 69.9 percent of voters, is hand-marking paper ballots.
- Ballot Marking Devices (BMDs): Used by 25.1 percent of voters, BMDs are automated systems that allow voters to select options on a screen and then print a paper ballot to confirm their choices. Implemented under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), this method includes accessibility features for individuals with disabilities.
- Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) systems: This electronic method, similar to Indian EVMs, stores votes electronically without a paper trail. DRE use has declined sharply due to security concerns, with only 5 percent of voters relying on these systems in Louisiana and Nevada.
The 2000 election, marked by Florida’s infamous “butterfly voting issues,” highlighted the need for clarity in voting and led to an initial shift toward electronic voting. Security concerns – especially after reports of interference in the 2016 elections – marked a return to paper-based systems. Today, electronic voting is limited, with most jurisdictions relying on hand-marked ballots, or BMDs.
How votes are counted
Votes cast on hand-marked paper ballots and BMDs are typically scanned using optical scanners that automatically record and tabulate the results. This process is followed by a state-level audit, which may include machine or manual verification. States have different timelines for certifying results, with final official voting results required by December 11 this year.
Personal votes
Votes cast on Election Day or during early voting will be counted after the polls close. Paper ballots are sent to counting centers, while data from digital voting machines is sent electronically or manually delivered for processing.
Mail-in ballots
The rules for processing and counting mail-in ballots vary by state. Many states allow officials to verify ballots before Election Day, but counting often begins on Election Day, with results held until after the polls close.
Verification of mail-in ballots
Every state requires a signature on mail-in ballots. Many use signature matching, and some require additional verification such as a witness signature or notarization, depending on state rules.
Cure ballot
In states that allow ballot processing, voters can fix errors, such as signature mismatches, to ensure their ballot is counted. Some states require healing before Election Day, while others allow it afterward. Eight states do not allow ballot handling.
Provisional Ballots
Provisional ballots are used when voter eligibility is uncertain, and are counted by hand after verification. Military and overseas ballots also contribute to the timeline due to their verification requirements.
The Electoral College
The U.S. president is elected by 538 electors representing all states and the District of Columbia, based on each state’s population. Except for Maine and Nebraska, each state operates under a winner-take-all system, awarding all of its electoral votes to the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state. To win, a candidate must obtain at least 270 electoral votes.
Certification and inauguration
On January 6, a joint session of Congress, chaired by the vice president, counted the electoral votes. If a candidate receives 270 votes, he is declared president-elect, even if he has lost the national popular vote. The inauguration will take place on January 20, when the newly elected president is sworn in for a four-year term.