Key Takeaway: If the results are so close they come down to mail in ballots received after polls close (Ohio counts ballots received up until Nov. 13), we will not know the winner until Nov. 14-18.
Last Polls Close: 8.30PM (7.30PM Eastern)
Last Absentee: Nov. 13
Votes Counted: Election Day*
Vote Certified: Nov. 28
*Mail-in ballots received after polls closed not counted until Nov.14-18
The Big Number: 3,411,463 Early Votes Cast
Ohio has shattered early voting records with 3.4 million Ohioans already casting their absentee ballots or voting early. This year's early voting total equals 60% of the total number of votes cast in the entire 2016 general election
Ballots cast before Election Day will be reported by 8pm, and those cast in person on Election Day will follow. Each county is required to announce the results of all absentee ballots (including early in-person votes) that were received by Election Day at 8pm ET.
No more vote counts (ie. those arriving by mail after polls close) will be released for a week and a half, meaning a close result may not be known until Nov. 14-18.
No interim results are released after election night. Counties will not announce the results of their last mail in ballots received until their official canvasses on Nov. 14-18. Counties will report the number of outstanding absentee ballots late on election night, so we will know whether there are enough ballots remaining to affect the winner of the election.
What to watch for
- Mail-in ballots can arrive as late as Nov. 13
- Results will only be released twice: once when the county boards of elections upload their unofficial results to the Secretary of State's Office, and again after each county completes its official canvass results and are certified by the Ohio Secretary of State.
- If results are too close to call on election night, it will be a week and a half before we know the winner of Ohio.
- Counties will report the number of outstanding absentee ballots late on election night, so we will know whether there are enough ballots remaining to affect the winner of the election.
- For the first time in a general election, every county board of elections must attempt to contact any individual who has an issue with their absentee ballot by phone or e-mail, if one is provided by the voter, as well as by mail.
Sources
Ohio Secretary of State announces post-election results schedule
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — On Friday, Secretary of State Frank LaRose issued a directive to Ohio’s county boards of elections that outlines how and when county boards of elections must report election results for the 2020 General Election. Under Directive 2020-23, and consistent with state …
Sarah Wynn —WSYX
Research contradicts President Donald Trump’s claim of voter fraud problems in Ohio: Election Truth
In this installment of the myth-busting series, Election Truth, cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer examine President Donald Trump’s claims of widespread voter fraud.
Courtney Astolfi, cleveland.com —cleveland
