When are absentee votes counted?

[Mouse Man]

Do they count them as they come in or do they wait until election night? My co-worker told me they only count them if it is "close". How does this process work?

 

[piratesmate]

I've gotten the impression that it's different depending on where you live. My sister is disabled & votes absentee every election. She was highly offended to learn that here in Montgomery County, PA her vote will only be counted "if it is close." Personally, I don't think that's right. (just, not correct) Their votes should count, too!

 

[Jennifer S]

I live in Montgomery county, pa - didn't know that. Thanks for the info.

 

[herc]

Counting Absentee Ballots

Receiving and Counting Absentee Ballots: The rules for when absentee ballots must be received, when they are counted, and who counts them also vary from state to state.


Receiving and Counting Absentee Ballots

State
Ballots Due By
Ballots Counted
Who Counts Ballots

Alabama
Close of polls on election day
Close of polls
Pollworkers

Alaska
10 days after election (15 days for overseas)
8pm election day
Absentee ballot counting board

Arizona
7pm election day
Election day & 5 days beyond
Central counting

Arkansas
7:30pm election day/5pm 10 days after, if postmarked election day
7:30pm election day
Absentee election board

California
8pm election day
5pm day before election
Special counting board

Colorado
7pm election day
10 days prior to election day
At least 3 county judges

Connecticut
8pm election day
Not before noon on election day
Absentee ballot counters

Delaware
Noon day before election
Prior to close of polls
Election judges

Florida
7pm election day
7pm election day
County canvassing board

Georgia
Close of polls
Close of polls
Absentee ballot manager

Hawaii
Close of polls
Election day
Chief election officer

Idaho
8pm election day
Close of polls
County clerks and election judges

Illinois
Close of polls
Close of polls
Panel of election judges

Indiana
Close of polls
Election day
Precinct election or central counting board

Iowa
Close of polls/Monday after election if postmarked by election day
Election day
Election board

Kansas
Close of polls
Opening of polls
Special election board

Kentucky
Close of polls
Beginning at 3pm election day
County board of elections

Louisiana
Midnight day before election
After 1pm and before 8pm election day
Board of election supervisors

Maine
Close of polls
Close of polls or prior
Election clerks

Maryland
Friday week after election
10am Thursday after election
County board

Massachusetts
10 days after election
Election day
Local election official

Michigan
8pm election day
Close of polls or 7am
Precinct election or absent voter board

Minnesota
Last mail delivery election day
8pm election day
Election judges

Mississippi

Close of polls
Precinct election managers

Missouri
Close of polls
Election day
Election judges, bipartisan teams

Montana
Close of polls
After polls open and before they close
Absentee ballot counting board

Nebraska
10am second day after election
Time set by county elected officer
Absent voters counting board

Nevada
Close of polls
Election day
Absentee ballot counting board

New Hampshire
5pm day before election
Close of polls
Precinct moderator

New Jersey
8pm election day
Election day
County board of elections

New Mexico
7pm election day
7pm election day
Absentee voter precinct board

New York
Postmarked day before election
Close of polls
Inspector of elections/central counting

North Carolina
5pm day before election
5pm election day
County board of elections

North Dakota
Within 2 days after election
Close of polls
Absentee ballot counting board

Ohio
Close of polls
Close of polls
Special election judges

Oklahoma
7pm election day
7pm election day
County election board

Oregon
8pm election day
Upon delivery of poll books
Election official

Pennsylvania
5pm Friday before election
Close of polls
Precinct election board

Rhode Island
9pm election day
9pm election day
State board of elections

South Carolina
Close of polls
7pm election day
Absentee poll managers

South Dakota
Close of polls
Close of polls
Absentee BIT Board/precinct canvass board

Tennessee
Close of polls
Opening of polls
Central absentee ballot counting board

Texas
Before close of polls
Election day
Early voting ballot board

Utah
Noon Monday following election
Election day or Monday after election
Election judges

Vermont
Close of polls
Close of polls
Bipartisan election judges

Virginia
Close of polls
Close of polls
Election official/central count

Washington
10 days after election
8pm election day and prior to certification
Canvassing board

West Virginia
Close of polls
Close of polls
Precinct election commissioners

Wisconsin
Close of polls
Between open and close of polls
Ward election inspectors

Wyoming
7pm election day
Close of polls
County clerk or 3 election judges



Note: Data in this chart was compiled from the web site of the Federal Elections Commission, on August 18, 2004.

 

[bsnyder]

Originally posted by piratesmate
I've gotten the impression that it's different depending on where you live. My sister is disabled & votes absentee every election. She was highly offended to learn that here in Montgomery County, PA her vote will only be counted "if it is close." Personally, I don't think that's right. (just, not correct) Their votes should count, too!

I don't know why anyone would be offended. If it wouldn't change the outcome of the election, why would you want time (and money) wasted counting those votes. They have to be hand counted.

 

[piratesmate]

Originally posted by bsnyder
I don't know why anyone would be offended. If it wouldn't change the outcome of the election, why would you want time (and money) wasted counting those votes. They have to be hand counted.

You'd have to know my sister to understand. Long story.....

I agree with you. If there are fewer absentee ballots than the difference between candidates there is no way it could change the outcome.

I think it made her feel like her vote "didn't count" - but it's probably easier to 'just not go there.'

 

[Mouse Man]

Thanks for the info herc. I'm predicting that it will be close in Ohio. I was just curious how quick we could know results.