The violent protests that preceded and followed the 2020 American presidential election, based on claims that Trump had stolen the vote by using all manner of ‘dirty tricks’, are a stark reminder that democracy depends on citizens’ willingness to accept electoral processes as legitimate. The outcome of a single election is not enough to shape our nation, which requires ongoing efforts and engagement from all communities.
When results are released, they should be publicly posted at the location where ballots are cast (e.g. polling stations) and the point where they are consolidated (e.g., ward, district, regional/provincial and national results consolidation centers). Publicly posting election results in a timely manner increases transparency and accountability in the counting process. It also allows representatives of political parties, candidates and civic organizations to compare the official results to their own observation findings.
In New York City, which uses ranked choice voting for Mayor, Comptroller and Borough President, voters’ first-choice votes count toward their final selection. Only when all first-choice votes are exhausted will the last candidate be eliminated and those remaining voters’ second choices will be counted in subsequent rounds. The candidate with the most first-choice votes wins.
In some cases, a recount may be called in response to a complaint or allegation of irregularities that can be verified through an independent review of ballots and records. The conditions that trigger a recount, how it is conducted and who conducts the review vary from country to country.