When polls close, it’s exciting to know who won and who lost. However, it takes time to count all the ballots.
Learn more in this Elections Defined video series: bit.ly/4cg1kro NCSLelections
For most voters, Election Day ends when they cast their ballot and begin watching the returns. But while the polls may have closed, the election process is far from over.
Learn more: bit.ly/4eVLd5B #NCSLelections
An election isn’t over when the polls close.
In most states, a local canvassing board reviews and confirms the results. When the results are certified, the newly elected officials can be sworn in.
Learn more: bit.ly/4cg1kro NCSLelections
What is a post-election tabulation audit? It’s a way to spot-check that voting equipment used to count votes worked properly and accurately.
Learn more in this Elections Defined video series: bit.ly/4cg1kro #NCSLelections
Voters will decide on more than 140 ballot measures in 39 states, Washington, D.C. and the Northern Mariana Islands on Nov. 3, with proposals covering taxes, abortion, redistricting and everything in between.
Learn more: bit.ly/48pzGYE #NCSLelections
What's the difference between a poll worker and poll watcher?
Wendy Underhill explains here in this NCSL Elections Defined video series: bit.ly/4cg1kro #NCSLelections
With more than 80% of legislative seats and nearly 150 statewide ballot measures up for decision in November, we spoke with #NCSLelections experts Katy Owens Hubler and Helen Brewer about where things stand about a month before Election Day.
Tune in: bit.ly/4hFR2pP
ALT Podcast cover for the "Our American States" episode, titled "2026 State Elections Preview." The image includes the NCSL (National Conference of State Legislatures) logo and features Katy Owens Hubler and Helen Brewer, with Ed Smith as the host.
Each state has its own law on when processing can begin. Most states, and especially those with a high volume of absentee voting, allow pre-processing to begin before Election Day.
Learn more in this Elections Defined video series: bit.ly/4cg1kro #NCSLelections
With the media's attention on the top of the ticket, NCSL remains focused on state elections, where voters will decide on the 6,139 legislators and 36 governors who will shape state policy.
Learn more about state elections 2026: bit.ly/4egQHIj #NCSLelections
Voters in 46 states will choose 6,139 state legislators, deciding over 83% of all legislative seats nationwide.
Additionally, voters will also decide on 36 governorships and 146 ballot measures.
Your one-stop hub for 2026 state elections: bit.ly/4egQHIj #NCSLelections
The key tension for child welfare policymakers is how to both meet emergency needs and pay for prevention that saves money and heartbreak down the line.
Read more: bit.ly/4hH8R7Z #NCSLsummit
ALT The image is an illustrated guide on overcoming the either/or mentality in child welfare financing. It includes doodles of people, speech bubbles, and text about topics like financing strategies and a Whole Child approach. The title and author, Kelley Griffin, are displayed, along with a National Conference of State Legislatures news label and a logo for the NCSL Legislative Summit in Chicago, 2023.
Thirty-six states have laws requesting or requiring voters to show some form of identification at the polls. The remaining 14 states and Washington, D.C., use other methods to verify the identity of voters.
Learn more: bit.ly/3kVmvd7 #NCSLelections
NCSL CEO Tim Storey talked with @PBS's Civics Made Easy host @ThatBenSheehan about why it's important to pay attention to what's happening in your state legislature.
Watch it here: to.pbs.org/4szKkFx
28 state legislatures are under Republican control while 18 are under Democratic control. Three states have divided legislatures and Nebraska is the only unicameral state legislature.
Learn more about state elections 2026 here: bit.ly/4egQHIj #NCSLelections
This November, voters across 36 states will head to the polls to decide their next governor. Of the 36 governorships, Democrats and Republicans each hold 18 seats currently. #NCSLelections
Learn more about state elections 2026: bit.ly/4egQHIj #NCSLelections
26 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, provide for automatic or mandatory recounts, which are conducted if the margin between the top two candidates is within certain parameters.
Read more: bit.ly/4ewA5tf #NCSLelections
What if a voter is absolutely certain they registered to vote, but their name isn't on the voter rolls?
Federal law requires a fail-safe option: a provisional ballot, sealed and kept separate until eligibility is verified.
Learn more: bit.ly/4cg1kro #NCSLelections
Training young people to respond to signs of trouble, increasing access to counselors and using the community schools model all show promise.
Read more: bit.ly/3WlzMha #NCSLsummit
ALT A group of five smiling individuals in casual clothing stands together indoors. A "State Legislatures News" banner appears at the top, with text reading "How to Support Students’ Mental Health? The Adults and Peers Around Them Can Help." By Kelley Griffin. An event logo for NCSL Summit Chicago 2023 is at the bottom right.
When the same party holds both legislative chambers and the governorship, that party has state control. When any of those three points of power is held by another party, control is divided.
Follow #NCSLelections for live state elections updates today through election night.
Midterm elections occur during the halfway point of a president’s term. How does this affect states? Like the U.S. House, the president’s party tends to lose seats during the midterm elections in state legislative elections too.
Read more: bit.ly/4f2HseL #NCSLelections
