The Federal Election Commission (FEC) oversees campaign finance laws. However, it does not have jurisdiction over voting and elections administered by state election offices. Please visit your state election office for official results information.
Election results are a complex process and can vary from one state to the next. The official certified results depend on various factors, including the canvass (counting of ballots) and any recounts (reexamination and re-tabulation of ballots). A recount is sometimes required for certain close races in a particular district or state. Recount rules are largely up to the individual state and can include either hand or machine recounts.
Despite Donald Trump’s Electoral College victory, many voters were unhappy with the economy and felt they had been left behind. Exit polls show that this group disproportionately voted for Biden. Interestingly, rural counties that were overwhelmingly won by Biden also have higher levels of economic distress.
As a result, it is important for election officials to communicate how votes are counted and the certification process to the public. The manner in which this is done can have an impact on perceptions of electoral integrity and satisfaction with democracy. Using maps is a popular way to share election results. A map can be easily understood by a non-technical audience and allows for the comparison of different voting patterns and trends across states. It also enables election officials to highlight any unexpected or contested results that may warrant additional review.
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