Vote counting continues for days or even weeks after Election Day. During this time, ballots are counted by hand or machine and may be sent back for review if there is a dispute over a result. During this time, you can check the status of your state’s official results through the secretary of state’s website or by calling your local election office.
When you’re looking up results, make sure to check multiple sources and avoid sensational headlines that can trigger negative emotions. Research shows that seeking out fact-based news can help reduce stress and anxiety.
If you see a lot of speculation, ask students what information they think is needed to make a valid claim about election results. Use the teaching strategy Learn to Listen, Listen to Learn to encourage them to engage in civil discussion.
In a close race, a media outlet may decide to predict which candidate won by collecting unofficial results from multiple sources. This process informs the news outlet’s prediction, which is often referred to as a call. A call is an unofficial prediction, and only official results certified by election officials are considered final.
In some states, if the margin between two candidates is within a certain percentage of votes, the trailing candidate has the right to request a recount. If a recount takes place, a team of election officials and representatives from both candidates will examine each ballot one by one or feed them through a machine to make sure that it wasn’t counted incorrectly.