Record numbers of voters have already cast their ballots in the 2020 election cycle, whether by mail or in-person absentee.
The flood of early votes — which was widely anticipated amid the coronavirus pandemic — has raised concerns about how long it will take mail and election systems in key states to process and tally all the ballots being sent in.
The prospect of mail-in votes being added to states’ totals well after Election Day could prompt objections from elected officials, possibly including Trump, if the changes are significant.
Here’s when swing states will start counting their ballots, and other key data:
- Arizona
Processing: Ballots were mailed starting Oct. 7 and are being processed upon receipt.
Counting: Ballots are being counted as of Oct. 20.
Deadline: Ballots are being accepted on or before Election Day.
- Florida
Processing/Counting: Ballots were mailed starting Sept. 24. Officials were then able to start canvassing mail-in ballots, which includes tabulating weeks in advance.
Deadline: Ballots are being accepted on or before Election Day.
- Georgia
Processing: Ballots were mailed starting Sept. 15 and signatures on the outside of envelopes were being processed upon receipt. Starting on Oct. 19, election officials began taking the additional step of opening mail-in ballot envelopes and scanning ballots, but not tabulating them.
Counting: Ballots are being tabulated at the close of polls on Election Day.
Deadline: Ballots are being accepted until polls close on Election Day at 7 p.m.
- Iowa
Processing: The mail-in ballot request deadline was Oct. 24. Counties can begin preparing ballots for processing on Saturday, October 31.
Counting: Absentee ballots will start being tabulated on Monday, Nov. 2.
Deadline: Absentee ballots received after the polls close on Election Day must be postmarked by the day before or earlier. They must be received in the county auditor’s office no later than noon on Nov. 9.
- Michigan
Processing: Absentee ballots will start being processed in some jurisdictions on Monday, Nov. 2. The vast majority will not begin processing ballots until Election Day.
Counting: Ballots will start being counted at 7 a.m. on Election Day.
Deadline: Ballots will be accepted until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
- Minnesota
Processing: Ballots are being processed upon receipt.
Counting: Election Day at close of polls, 8 p.m.
Deadline: Election Day.
- Nevada
Processing: The absentee ballot request deadline was Oct. 20. Ballots are being processed upon receipt.
Counting: Officials started counting absentee ballots on Oct. 19.
Deadline: Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received no later than Nov. 10.
- New Hampshire
Processing: Officials started processing absentee ballots on Oct. 29 in some cities and towns, with others beginning Oct. 30, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.
Counting: Ballots will start being counted on Election Day.
Deadline: Mail ballots must be received by Election Day.
- North Carolina
Processing: Officials started processing absentee ballots on Sep. 29.
Counting: Ballots will start being tabulated on Election Day.
Deadline: Mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received no later than Nov. 12.
- Ohio
Processing: Officials started processing absentee ballots on Oct. 6.
Counting: Ballots will start being counted at 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
Deadline: Mail ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 2 and received no later than Nov. 13.
- Pennsylvania
Processing: Mail ballots can start being processed on Election Day at 7 a.m.
Counting: Ballots can start being counted when polls close on Election Day at 8 pm.
Deadline: Absentee or mail-in ballots must be delivered by Election Day at 8 p.m.
A Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision to extended the deadline for receiving absentee ballots by three days to Nov. 6 is being challenged by the state’s GOP. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to fast track the Republican challenge, but could still ultimately rule in Republicans’ favor.
* At least seven Pennsylvania counties plan to hold off on processing or counting their mail ballots until the day after Election Day, NBC News reported Friday.
- Texas
Processing:
- In counties with a population of 100,000 or more, officials started processing mail ballots on Oct. 22.
- Officials in other counties began processing mail ballots on Oct. 30 after polls closed on Oct. 30.
Counting:
- Officials in counties with a population 100,000 or more could begin counting mail ballots after polls closed on Oct. 30.
- All other counties cannot begin counting mail ballots until polls open on Election Day.
Deadline: Absentee ballots must be postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day and received no later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 4.
- Wisconsin
Processing: Officials begin some verification steps upon receipt, including checking ballots against voter lists and looking for any missing signatures or addresses. Envelopes cannot be opened for processing until Election Day at 7 a.m.
Counting: Mail ballots can start being counted on Election Day at 7 a.m.
Deadline: Mail ballots must be received by Election Day at 8 p.m.
Reference: CNBC, NBCNEWS
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