Do election officials tabulate absentee ballots as soon as they arrive?

[question everything]

I kinda remember in California in the 90s they did, and released them as soon as the polls closed. But, I suppose, this is so.. 20th Century.

This year, though, in the primaries, California would not release the results until a month later. I think that results should be determined on Nov. 3rd. The only exception should be ballots from overseas. I really don't understand the extension by weeks that many states now determined. There are now five weeks. Most of us know our choices, also for local offices and if we want to vote absentee we should go ahead and do this.

We have our ballots but are now considering voting in person. We always go mid day when often we would be the only ones. Unless a blizzard is predicted for Nov. 3rd, then we would have a couple of days to rush to City Hall and vote absentee there..

As I remember, red states are the first to report the results so, of course, he will declare victory by 9:00 PM Eastern.

[jorgevlorgan]

1. I believe most of the swing states do

Or at least several days early

https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/vopp-table-16-when-absentee-mail-ballot-processing-and-counting-can-begin.aspx

[Sogo]

2. Depends upon the state.

There are different laws in each state.

[KatyaR]

3. In Oklahoma, they don't start counting them

until the polls close, which is 7pm CST.

By the time they're finished, the election's been called.

[Siwsan]

4. It is my understanding that in Michigan they will start the mail in count on Monday, Nov 2

And they will continue to count any that are post marked by Nov 3 but arrive post election.

Our SOS wanted to start the absentee count 7 days before the election.

[question everything]

8. Seems that now some states will include post marked after Nov. 3rd

With all the problems with the post office there really is no excuse to delay posting them.

[Siwsan]

10. Hopefully most people will just drop off ballots at their local clerk's office, if that's allowed

If you would be taking it to the post office, anyway, why not just take that step to ensure it arrives in advance.

I was just having a back and forth with someone who doesn't understand the difference between 'early voting' and 'mail in voting'. Yea, both are done in advance of the election, but not handled the same way. I finally just gave up.

[Maeve]

5. Processed, but not tallied

In general, they are noted (so the voter's name is marked in the polling book) but actual counting is usually held until election day (or if counted, they are not announced until polling ends)

Good info on specific states in the link in post #1 above

[TreasonousBastard]

6. It depends on the state or county. We used to drop them off at the polling places, but then...

there were problems dealing with faulty or provisional ballots.

They were counted after the polls closed in case someone voted in person earlier so we could throw out the mailed ballot.

Now they are counted at the county, presumably after the polls close for the same reason. Unless the personal counts are so tight that the mailins would make a difference, there is no rush to count them.

[Freddie]

7. I'm in Pennsylvania

Been debating about this but I think it’s likelier my vote will count if I go in person. I’m willing to take the risk.

[blaze]

9. Here's how every state does it (posted by another DUer earlier) (also posted up thread)

https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/vopp-table-16-when-absentee-mail-ballot-processing-and-counting-can-begin.aspx