During an election, voters voluntarily share who they voted for and other information about themselves through polls. The results of these polls are often reflected in the media, and like any poll, have a margin of error.
On Election Day, eligible voters go to the polls and cast their ballots in person or by mail. After the polls close, the ballots and electronic vote records are securely transferred to election officials for counting. As these votes are tallied, reporters for news outlets collect data from various sources to make unofficial predictions about race outcomes. Then, they update their projections as new data becomes available.
Election results are only final once every eligible ballot has been counted and certified by election officials. This can take days or even weeks after Election Day. There are several processes that typically occur before the official results are made public, and some states may have different procedures for counting ballots.
Regardless of who wins, elections are high stakes events and can generate feelings of anxiety and stress. The heightened emotions around an election can leave people vulnerable to misinformation and conspiracy theories, but there are ways to stay informed and support your mental health during this time.