Bring the snacks, settle in, and know what those changing numbers mean.
For me, election night has Super Bowl energy.
People gather around my TV. Group texts light up. Someone has three browser tabs open and a county map pulled up on their phone. There are snacks, predictions, and plenty of “Wait, refresh that!” Inevitably, someone (usually my wife) says they’re going to bed right before another update comes in.
It’s exciting. We’ve made our choices, cast our ballots, and now we get to see how our fellow Texans voted. But knowing the details of the night, can help set your expectations.
Election Night Results Are a First Look
The numbers you see on election night are unofficial results. Reviewing ballots and completing the official tally continues after Election Day. In Georgia, counties certify their results the Monday after the election, and the state follows later in the month.
The Map Fills in One Update at a Time
Polls in Georgia close at 7 p.m. Counties then report totals from early voting, absentee ballots, and Election Day voting as those results become available. Those reports don’t all arrive at once. As more votes are included, the numbers change and the picture becomes more complete.
Think of an election-night map as a work in progress. Each update adds more info.
An Early Lead Is Only Part of the Picture
A candidate may lead in the first reports, then fall behind as more results come in. A close race may widen. A wide gap may narrow. The order in which results arrive can affect how a race looks at any given moment.
Before drawing a conclusion, look at what has been reported and what is still outstanding. An early lead tells you who is ahead in the votes reported so far.
A Close Race May Mean a Runoff
In Georgia, a candidate needs more than half the vote to win. If no one gets there, the top two candidates go to a runoff on December 1. In a close race, the number to watch may be 50%.
Three Questions to Ask While Watching
You don’t need to become an election analyst. These questions can help you make sense of the updates:
Where are these results from? One county’s numbers tell you about that county. A statewide race brings together results from across Georgia.
What has been reported so far? Look for information about which voting locations or types of ballots are included.
When was the last update? Check the timestamp so you know how current the numbers are.
For official updates, follow your county election office and the Georgia Secretary of State’s election results website.
Enjoy the Night. Give the Count Time.
Just remember, you’ve done your part by voting. Election workers are doing theirs by counting and reporting the results.