An accurate and complete vote count takes time!

Overview

Due to expected high voter turnout and the multi-card ballot, the Department of Elections may need the full 30 days allowed by state law to count ballots and report final results for the November 5, 2024, Consolidated General Election. The Department must certify the election by December 5. 

As outlined in the Results Reporting Schedule, the Department will issue four preliminary results reports on Election Night. All results released on Election Night will be preliminary and will change in the following days as the Department counts several tens of thousands of ballots.  These will include valid provisional and vote-by-mail ballots received on Election Day, as well as valid vote-by-mail ballots received within one week of Election Day and postmarked by Election Day.

All local elections results will be posted at sfelections.gov/results. To receive official results updates directly in your inbox, subscribe at sfelections.gov/trustedinfo. 

Members of the public are welcome to observe ballot processing in person or via the live stream posted on the Observe the Election Process page.

Read on to learn more about the key factors that will impact the ballot counting timeline for the November 5 election.

1. Millions of ballot cards to count.

The November 5 Election ballot will consist of four double-sided cards. Consequently, for every voter who casts a ballot, the Department must process multiple separate cards. 

Presidential elections have the highest voter turnout (see historical turnout data), and nearly 90% of San Francisco’s approximately half a million voters are expected to participate.  This means the Department will need to count nearly two million cards before releasing final election results. 

The complexity of ballot counting is further increased by the need to process different types of ballots, each with specific handling and processing requirements. These include standard, vote-by-mail, provisional, accessible, and military/overseas ballots. 

Additionally, as required by state law, the Department will conduct a series of audits and tallies after the election to verify that that the voting equipment properly tabulated ballots and accurately reported results. Final election results will only be released after these procedures are complete.

2. Counting vote-by-mail ballots requires more time.

Vote-by-mail ballots require more handling before counting compared to ballots cast and tabulated at polling places. 

For example, each vote-by-mail envelope must be scanned, and the image of each voters’ signature must be uploaded into the Department’s voter registration database. Department personnel then compare the voter’s signature on the returned envelope with the voter’s signature(s) the Department has on file. If the signatures compare, the ballot is accepted for counting. If they do not compare, the ballot is challenged, and the voter is given an opportunity to correct the issue. Only after the voter takes action, can the envelope be opened, and the ballot inside be scanned and counted. 

By law, the Department must count vote-by-mail ballots received within seven days of Election Day and which are postmarked on or before Election Day, as well as any San Francisco ballots returned to other counties. Additionally, state law requires the Department to process ballots “cured” by voters (e.g., when a voter returns a ballot by mail and forgets to sign the envelope but does so after notification) up until two days before the certification deadline.

These extensive procedures are not only mandated by state election law, but also ensure the accuracy and integrity of the vote-by-mail process, reinforcing voter confidence and trust in the process. 

3. Counting provisional ballots also requires more time.

After Election Day, the Department must also handle thousands of provisional ballots. Provisional ballots are cast at polling places but are placed into envelopes similar to vote-by-mail ballots. When people register and vote on Election Day, or when voters visit a polling place different from their assigned location, they vote using a provisional ballot. 

Processing of provisional ballots requires significant time and effort as each envelope is individually reviewed. Department personnel must verify the voter's registration status, resolve any discrepancies, and confirm eligibility before any counting can commence. 

This thorough verification ensures that each provisional ballot is legitimate and that every eligible vote is counted.