As the United States heads to the polls, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump have campaigned intensively for months, wooing American voters. This year, nearly 95% of registered voters will use paper ballots as their primary method of voting.

Here’s a detailed look at how U.S. elections are run, the different voting methods available, and how votes are counted.

STRUCTURE OF US ELECTIONS

Unlike many countries with centralized election bodies, the U.S. election system is highly decentralized. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) oversees campaign finance laws, but states and local governments manage the election process themselves.

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

PRIMARY VOTING METHOD FOR THE 2024 US ELECTIONS

Hand-marked paper ballots: The most widely used method, with approximately 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 as part of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), BMDs include accessibility features for people with disabilities.

Direct Electronic Recording (DRE) Systems: Similar to Indian Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), DRE systems record votes electronically without a paper trail. However, for security reasons, only about 5 percent 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 the results. Each state then conducts an audit, either manually or with the help of a machine, 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 the polls close. Paper ballots are sent to counting centers, while data from digital voting machines is either transmitted electronically or hand-delivered for processing.

Mail-in ballots

The processing of mail-in ballots varies by state. While many states verify ballots before Election Day, counting typically begins on Election Day, although results are not released until after polls close. Signature matching and other forms of verification help ensure the legitimacy of each ballot.

Verification of mail-in ballots

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

Ballot Healing

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

Provisional ballots

Provisional ballots, used when a voter’s eligibility is uncertain, go through a verification process before being counted manually. Military and overseas ballots, which require additional verification, may also extend the time for the final count.

The electoral college

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

With the exception of Maine and Nebraska, states follow a “winner-takes-all” system, awarding all electoral votes to the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state. A candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.