American elections are highly decentralized. Learn how federal law, state rules, state officials, and local administrators fit together—and why election-night totals are not the same thing as certified results.
Explore the process ↓Select a stage to see what changes, who has authority, and what the process does not mean.
The Constitution gives states a central role in administering elections while federal constitutional provisions and federal statutes impose important nationwide requirements.
The United States does not have one national election office that directly runs every polling place.
State constitutions and statutes define many election procedures, including registration systems, ballot access, early voting rules, recount procedures, and certification structures, subject to federal law.
Election rules therefore vary across states even in the same federal election.
The chief election official may be a secretary of state, lieutenant governor, election board, or another office depending on the state. Responsibilities differ by jurisdiction.
There is no single nationwide job description for a state chief election official.
Counties, cities, townships, or other local jurisdictions commonly manage polling places, poll workers, ballots, equipment, and local tabulation under state law.
The people physically operating an election are usually local officials working within a state system.
Local and state processes reconcile returns, resolve specified discrepancies, canvass results, and certify official totals according to applicable law.
Election-night reporting is preliminary; certification is the legal process that establishes official results.
Tap each level to reveal its typical role.
Select a level to see its role.
