Local Elections Basics #3: How ballots are secured and counted

Published on October 13, 2026

Every valid ballot matters.

Every valid ballot matters, whether it is cast during early voting, on Election Day, by early mail, or by absentee ballot. The Board of Elections follows documented bipartisan procedures for receiving, securing, transporting, and canvassing ballots. Paper ballots and records provide the evidence needed to check the count.

Transparency is also built into the process. Candidates and political parties are notified of opportunities to observe major election activities, including voting-machine testing, ballot scanning, recanvassing, and post-election audits.

During the post-election audit, randomly selected paper ballots are manually counted by bipartisan teams and compared with the reported totals. The teams conduct the manual count without first seeing the machine totals. Any discrepancy is reviewed and addressed under procedures established by State law.

After the polls close, the County reports unofficial results. Unofficial does not mean unreliable; it means the process is not yet complete. Timely mailed ballots may still arrive, affidavit ballots must be reviewed, results are recanvassed, and a post-election audit compares paper records with machine tallies. The 2026 State political calendar sets Nov. 18 and Nov. 28 for these activities. For a general election, New York requires a random audit of voter-verifiable records from 3% of voting systems in the jurisdiction. Close contests may therefore remain unsettled after election night while eligible ballots are counted and required checks are completed.

Your action this week

Choose how you will vote: during early voting Oct. 24-Nov. 1, at your assigned poll site on Nov. 3, or by early-mail or absentee ballot.
If voting by mail, apply early. Mailed and online applications must be received by Oct. 24.
Follow the instructions, sign and date the security envelope, and return the ballot as soon as practical.

Important dates

Oct. 24: Mailed and online early-mail and absentee ballot applications must be received; early voting begins.
Nov. 2: Last day to apply in person for an early-mail or absentee ballot.
Nov. 3: Mail ballots must be postmarked by this date or delivered in person by 9 p.m.
Nov. 10: Deadline for timely postmarked civilian early-mail and absentee ballots to arrive at the Board of Elections.
Nov. 18 and Nov. 28: Recanvass and audit dates, followed by the County certification and canvass transmission date in the State political calendar.

Myth / Fact

Myth: If the winner is not known on election night, something is wrong.

Fact: Election-night results are unofficial. Eligible mailed and affidavit ballots, recanvassing, and the required paper-record audit are part of an accurate count, and certification occurs later.

Voters in special situations

Military and overseas voters: Different application, transmission, and return deadlines may apply. Use the official military and overseas voting resources or contact the Board of Elections as early as possible.