Why ballot counting takes so long in Washington state
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Although the winning presidential candidate in Washington state is likely to be known within minutes of polls closing on Election Day, in many other races, voters should not expect to know the outcome for days or even weeks.
Why it matters: The extended ballot-counting process in Washington's vote-by-mail elections can cause results in down-ballot races to change dramatically after election night.
- That sometimes gives rise to conspiracy theories — especially in big presidential election years — but in reality, it's a normal part of the process, election officials tell Axios.
Zoom in: In King County, about half the ballots are typically included in the first batch of results posted on election night, said elections spokesperson Halei Watkins.
- Ballots placed in drop boxes on Election Day will be included in later days' counts, as will ballots that are postmarked on time but received on or after Nov. 5, she told Axios.
Between the lines: Unlike many states, Washington accepts ballots that are postmarked by Election Day, even if they are received long after.
- Election officials typically receive lots of on-time ballots through the mail on the Wednesday and Thursday after Election Day, Watkins said.
How it works: Each ballot must then be checked to ensure the signature on the envelope matches that of the registered voter.
- Election workers also check that they haven't already received a ballot from that voter this election, and that the person is eligible to vote in the races on their ballot, she said.
- Ballots from military and overseas voters can take a while to trickle in by mail, extending the counting timeline and potentially making a difference in close races.
What they're saying: "We are prioritizing accuracy over speed," Charlie Boisner, spokesperson for the Washington secretary of state's office, told Axios.
- "We want to make sure we are doing it right, that every vote is getting counted, and there isn't anything that is missed."
The bottom line: Results in state and local races in Washington often aren't clear until a week after the election, or even later if a recount is needed.