Votes are typically counted after polls close on election day, with preliminary results posted shortly thereafter. The exact timing varies by jurisdiction and by how ballots were cast (in-person on election day, advance polls, or mail/special ballots). What generally happens

• In-person ballots cast at polling places are tallied first, usually starting after closing time in the local precinct.
• Advance or early voting ballots and mail ballots are counted according to local procedures, which may start after polls close or in some cases earlier if volumes justify it.
• Ballots are counted in the presence of witnesses or officials as required by law, and results are released in stages: preliminary results on election night, followed by validated or certified results in the subsequent days or weeks, depending on the jurisdiction.

Key notes

• If your jurisdiction participates in a consolidated or statewide results process, the initial estimates often come from a combination of early-count data (like mail-in ballot tallies already in the system) and in-person counts as they are completed.
• Some races may show delayed or provisional results if a large share of ballots are mail-in or if any counting hurdles (like ballot curing, damaged ballots, or audits) affect the final tally.

If you share your country, state/province, or city, the exact start time for counting and when to expect official results can be provided with precise local details.