US Presidential Election: How votes are cast and counted in the US elections

Each U.S. state establishes its own election rules, governing everything from voter eligibility to ballot design and counting methods.

As the United States heads to the polls, Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump have completed months of intensive campaigning, appealing to voters in America. This year, nearly 95% of registered voters will use paper ballots as the primary method of voting.

Here’s an in-depth look at how US elections are organised, the different voting methods available, and how votes are counted.

STRUCTURE OF US ELECTIONS

Unlike many nations with centralised election bodies, the US election system is highly decentralised. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) oversees campaign finance laws, but individual states and local authorities manage the election process itself.

Each state sets its own regulations, which include rules for voter eligibility, ballot design, and counting procedures. This means voting and vote-counting methods can differ significantly from one state to another.

PRIMARY VOTING METHOD IN US ELECTIONS 2024

Hand-Marked Paper Ballots: The most widely used method, with about 69.9% of voters marking their paper ballots by hand.

Ballot Marking Devices (BMDs): Used by approximately 25.1% of voters, BMDs are electronic systems that allow voters to select options on a screen, which then prints a paper ballot for verification. Originally introduced under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), BMDs include accessibility features for individuals with disabilities.

Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) Systems: Similar to India’s Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), DRE systems record votes electronically without a paper trail. However, due to security concerns, only around 5% of voters, primarily in Louisiana and Nevada, use DRE systems today.

VOTE COUNTING PROCESS

Votes cast on hand-marked paper ballots and BMDs are typically processed by optical scanners, which automatically record and tabulate results. Each state then conducts an audit, either manually or with machine assistance, to verify the count. States follow different timelines for certifying results, with all states required to complete certification by December 11, 2024.

In-person votes

In-person votes, whether cast on Election Day or during early voting, are counted after polls close. Paper ballots are sent to counting centres, while data from digital voting machines is either transmitted electronically or delivered by hand for processing.

Mail-in ballots

Mail-in ballot processing varies by state. While many states verify ballots before Election Day, counting typically starts on Election Day, though results are withheld until after polls close. Signature matching and other forms of verification help ensure each ballot’s legitimacy.

Mail-in ballot verification

Every state requires a signature on mail-in ballots. Some states use additional verification methods, such as witness signatures or notarization, based on their individual regulations.

Ballot curing

In states that allow ballot curing, voters can correct errors (such as mismatched signatures) to ensure their ballot counts. Deadlines for curing vary, with some states allowing it after Election Day, while others require corrections before.

Provisional ballots

Provisional ballots, used when a voter’s eligibility is uncertain, undergo a verification process before being hand-counted. Military and overseas ballots, which require additional verification, can also extend the timeline for final counts.

The electoral college

The US President is elected by 538 electors from all states and the District of Columbia, with each state’s electors corresponding to its population size.

Except for Maine and Nebraska, states follow a 'winner-take-all' system, awarding all electoral votes to the candidate who wins the popular vote within that state. A candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.