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Rainey Center

@RaineyCenter

A public policy research organization and leadership community working for freedom, equality, and a more perfect union.

 Washington, DC
linktr.ee/josephraineypolicycenter
Joined March 2018
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1.4KMedia
Photo by Rainey Center (@RaineyCenter)Photo by Rainey Center (@RaineyCenter)Photo by Rainey Center (@RaineyCenter)Photo by Rainey Center (@RaineyCenter)Photo by Rainey Center (@RaineyCenter)Photo by Rainey Center (@RaineyCenter)Photo by Rainey Center (@RaineyCenter)Photo by Rainey Center (@RaineyCenter)Photo by Rainey Center (@RaineyCenter)Photo by Rainey Center (@RaineyCenter)
State legislators. Policy experts. Industry leaders. Three days focused on solving America's biggest challenges. The Rainey Center National Summit is coming to Orlando, Dec 7–9, with keynote speaker @TheOfficerTatum More info at the link in bio or below! #RaineyCenter #StatePolicy
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Watching results tomorrow night? Expect the numbers to move, and know that it's normal. Election-night results are unofficial. Different kinds of ballots are counted on different schedules, and in six states, officials can't start processing mail ballots until Election Day itself. Provisional ballots are decided after the election, usually within days. A shifting total means the count is still underway. Results become official only after the canvass and certification. #RaineyCenter #PreparedVoter #ElectionNight
'Why the count changes overnight.' Six states can't start processing mail ballots until Election Day: AL, MS, NH, PA, WV, WI. Timeline: election night, unofficial results; overnight and beyond, mail ballots counted; days later, provisional ballots decided.

ALT 'Why the count changes overnight.' Six states can't start processing mail ballots until Election Day: AL, MS, NH, PA, WV, WI. Timeline: election night, unofficial results; overnight and beyond, mail ballots counted; days later, provisional ballots decided.

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Questions about where or how to vote? Start with your county clerk. @SarahEHunt01 on the local officials who help every eligible voter take part with confidence. #RaineyCenter #ElectionDay
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Before a single vote is cast, officials run pre-marked ballots through every scanner. The totals have to match exactly. Required in every state, and often open to the public. New on our Substack: link below. #RaineyCenter #PreparedVoter
Logic and accuracy testing: officials run pre-marked ballots through every scanner before the election, and totals must match exactly. Timeline from the test to the audit: testing, zero-vote opening tape, check-ins matched to ballots, audit, certification.

ALT Logic and accuracy testing: officials run pre-marked ballots through every scanner before the election, and totals must match exactly. Timeline from the test to the audit: testing, zero-vote opening tape, check-ins matched to ballots, audit, certification.

Logic and accuracy testing: officials run pre-marked ballots through every scanner before the election, and totals must match exactly. Timeline from the test to the audit: testing, zero-vote opening tape, check-ins matched to ballots, audit, certification.

ALT Logic and accuracy testing: officials run pre-marked ballots through every scanner before the election, and totals must match exactly. Timeline from the test to the audit: testing, zero-vote opening tape, check-ins matched to ballots, audit, certification.

Logic and accuracy testing: officials run pre-marked ballots through every scanner before the election, and totals must match exactly. Timeline from the test to the audit: testing, zero-vote opening tape, check-ins matched to ballots, audit, certification.

ALT Logic and accuracy testing: officials run pre-marked ballots through every scanner before the election, and totals must match exactly. Timeline from the test to the audit: testing, zero-vote opening tape, check-ins matched to ballots, audit, certification.

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Read the full piece: raineycenter.substack.com/p/…
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145 statewide measures in 39 states are on the Nov. 3 ballot. On some, "yes" keeps a law. On others, it repeals one. Read your sample ballot before the booth. New on our Substack: link below. #RaineyCenter #PreparedVoter
What's on your ballot: 145 statewide measures in 39 states on Nov. 3. Bar chart by topic: taxes and business 48, election policy 34, constitutional rights 14, abortion/sex/gender 10, housing 6. Tips: read the title and summary, know what yes and no mean, use official sources, decide at home.

ALT What's on your ballot: 145 statewide measures in 39 states on Nov. 3. Bar chart by topic: taxes and business 48, election policy 34, constitutional rights 14, abortion/sex/gender 10, housing 6. Tips: read the title and summary, know what yes and no mean, use official sources, decide at home.

What's on your ballot: 145 statewide measures in 39 states on Nov. 3. Bar chart by topic: taxes and business 48, election policy 34, constitutional rights 14, abortion/sex/gender 10, housing 6. Tips: read the title and summary, know what yes and no mean, use official sources, decide at home.

ALT What's on your ballot: 145 statewide measures in 39 states on Nov. 3. Bar chart by topic: taxes and business 48, election policy 34, constitutional rights 14, abortion/sex/gender 10, housing 6. Tips: read the title and summary, know what yes and no mean, use official sources, decide at home.

What's on your ballot: 145 statewide measures in 39 states on Nov. 3. Bar chart by topic: taxes and business 48, election policy 34, constitutional rights 14, abortion/sex/gender 10, housing 6. Tips: read the title and summary, know what yes and no mean, use official sources, decide at home.

ALT What's on your ballot: 145 statewide measures in 39 states on Nov. 3. Bar chart by topic: taxes and business 48, election policy 34, constitutional rights 14, abortion/sex/gender 10, housing 6. Tips: read the title and summary, know what yes and no mean, use official sources, decide at home.

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Read the full piece: raineycenter.substack.com/p/…
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Registered, but your name isn't on the list at the polls? Don't leave. In most states, federal law gives you the right to cast a provisional ballot. Here's what happens next: 1. You declare you're registered and eligible, and vote. 2. Your ballot is kept separate while officials confirm, usually within days. 3. Officials must tell you how to check whether it counted, and if not, why. A few states with Election Day registration, like Idaho, Minnesota, and New Hampshire, handle this differently. Check your state's rules on your state's Can I Vote page (link in bio or below). #RaineyCenter #PreparedVoter #ElectionDay
'Registered, but not on the list? You can still cast a provisional ballot.' Three steps: declare you're registered and eligible and vote; ballot kept separate while officials confirm; officials tell you how to check if it counted.

ALT 'Registered, but not on the list? You can still cast a provisional ballot.' Three steps: declare you're registered and eligible and vote; ballot kept separate while officials confirm; officials tell you how to check if it counted.

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Two days to go. A few habits make Election Day smoother: ✔ Vote the full ballot, top to bottom ✔ Bring a marked sample ballot, where your state allows ✔ Hit a problem? Write down the time, place, and what happened, and tell a poll worker or your county election office ✘ Don't confront anyone ✘ Don't trust a surprise text or chatbot about when or where to vote ✘ Don't leave the line at closing. If you're in line, you can vote. Your official source is your state or county election office. Find yours on your state's Can I Vote page (link in bio or below). #RaineyCenter #PreparedVoter #ElectionDay
'Election Day: do this, not that.' Do: vote the full ballot, bring a marked sample ballot, write down any problem, tell a poll worker. Don't: confront anyone, trust a surprise text or chatbot, leave the line at closing.

ALT 'Election Day: do this, not that.' Do: vote the full ballot, bring a marked sample ballot, write down any problem, tell a poll worker. Don't: confront anyone, trust a surprise text or chatbot, leave the line at closing.

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Election audits aren't IRS audits. They're public, bipartisan checks that build confidence before results are certified. @SarahEHunt01 on how North Carolina does it. #RaineyCenter #ElectionAudits
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Most voters have more than one way to vote: early, by mail, or on Election Day. In 2024, 158M+ ballots were counted, about 30% by mail, with 770,000+ poll workers behind them. When you vote, thank a poll worker. New on our Substack: link in bio or below. #RaineyCenter #PreparedVoter
Access That Works carousel: title card over voters at voting booths; 2024 by the numbers (158M+ ballots, ~65% turnout, ~30% by mail); 770,000+ poll workers, most over 61. When you vote, thank a poll worker.

ALT Access That Works carousel: title card over voters at voting booths; 2024 by the numbers (158M+ ballots, ~65% turnout, ~30% by mail); 770,000+ poll workers, most over 61. When you vote, thank a poll worker.

Access That Works carousel: title card over voters at voting booths; 2024 by the numbers (158M+ ballots, ~65% turnout, ~30% by mail); 770,000+ poll workers, most over 61. When you vote, thank a poll worker.

ALT Access That Works carousel: title card over voters at voting booths; 2024 by the numbers (158M+ ballots, ~65% turnout, ~30% by mail); 770,000+ poll workers, most over 61. When you vote, thank a poll worker.

Access That Works carousel: title card over voters at voting booths; 2024 by the numbers (158M+ ballots, ~65% turnout, ~30% by mail); 770,000+ poll workers, most over 61. When you vote, thank a poll worker.

ALT Access That Works carousel: title card over voters at voting booths; 2024 by the numbers (158M+ ballots, ~65% turnout, ~30% by mail); 770,000+ poll workers, most over 61. When you vote, thank a poll worker.

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Masks are for Halloween. AI can imitate election officials, and chatbots can get dates, hours, and polling locations wrong. A quick check keeps a bad answer from costing you your vote. Spot it: be wary of surprise messages, videos, or chatbot answers about voting. Check it: confirm with your state or county election office. Report it: knowingly spreading false voting information to keep people from voting can be illegal. #RaineyCenter #PreparedVoter #AI
'Masks are for Halloween.' AI can imitate election officials and get dates, hours, and locations wrong. Spot it, check it with your election office, report it.

ALT 'Masks are for Halloween.' AI can imitate election officials and get dates, hours, and locations wrong. Spot it, check it with your election office, report it.

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Treat yourself to four quick checks before Tuesday: • Registration: confirm it on your state's Can I Vote page (link in bio or below) • Polling place: look it up, then check again before you go • ID: know what your state requires • Full ballot: 145 statewide measures are on Nov. 3 ballots All four take a few minutes. #RaineyCenter #PreparedVoter #Election2026
'Treat yourself to four quick checks': registration, polling place, ID rule, full ballot. All four take a few minutes.

ALT 'Treat yourself to four quick checks': registration, polling place, ID rule, full ballot. All four take a few minutes.

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Your rights at the polls, from The Prepared Voter field guide: • Name not on the list? You can ask for a provisional ballot. Federal law gives you that right in most states, and officials must tell you whether it counted. • Every polling place must have at least one voting system accessible to voters with disabilities. • If you need help because of a disability or trouble reading or writing, you can bring a person you choose, other than your employer or union officer. • In line when the polls close? Stay in line. You can still vote. Save this one for Tuesday. The full field guide is at the link in bio or below. #RaineyCenter #PreparedVoter #KnowYourRights
'Your rights at the polls': provisional ballot if your name isn't on the list; at least one accessible voting system at every polling place; help in the booth from a person you choose; stay in line at closing time and you can still vote.

ALT 'Your rights at the polls': provisional ballot if your name isn't on the list; at least one accessible voting system at every polling place; help in the booth from a person you choose; stay in line at closing time and you can still vote.

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A missing or mismatched signature doesn't have to mean a mail ballot goes uncounted. In 35 states and D.C., officials must notify you about a signature problem and give you a chance to fix it. The window is short: Florida's deadline is 5 p.m. two days after the election, Arizona's is five business days after, and Colorado's is eight days after. If you voted by mail, track your ballot on your state's election site and keep an eye on your mail, email, and phone in the days after. #RaineyCenter #PreparedVoter #VoteByMail
'Don't let your ballot ghost you.' 35 states plus D.C. must notify you about a signature problem and let you fix it. Cure deadlines: Florida +2 days, Arizona +5 business days, Colorado +8 days.

ALT 'Don't let your ballot ghost you.' 35 states plus D.C. must notify you about a signature problem and let you fix it. Cure deadlines: Florida +2 days, Arizona +5 business days, Colorado +8 days.

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Every state counting votes differently isn't a weakness. @SarahEHunt01 explains why a decentralized system is much harder for bad actors to hack than one national system. #RaineyCenter #ElectionSecurity
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Happy Halloween! If you're voting by mail, the deadline matters more than you might think. In 35 states, a mailed ballot must arrive by Election Day. In 15 states and D.C., it counts if it's postmarked by Election Day. With three days to go, mail may not arrive in time. Many states offer official drop boxes or drop-off at your election office. Find your state's deadline and options on your state's Can I Vote page (link in bio or below). #RaineyCenter #PreparedVoter #VoteByMail
'No tricks. Return it early.' 35 states need mailed ballots to arrive by Election Day; 15 states plus D.C. count ballots postmarked by Election Day. Too late to mail? Use an official drop box or your election office.

ALT 'No tricks. Return it early.' 35 states need mailed ballots to arrive by Election Day; 15 states plus D.C. count ballots postmarked by Election Day. Too late to mail? Use an official drop box or your election office.

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Voting is more flexible than many people think. 47 states and D.C. offer early in-person voting to all voters, and 37 states and D.C. let any voter vote by mail without an excuse. Voting by mail this close to Election Day? In 35 states, your ballot must arrive by Election Day, not just be postmarked. Check your state's return deadline and drop-off options on your state's Can I Vote page (link in bio or below). Source: National Conference of State Legislatures. #RaineyCenter #PreparedVoter #Election2026
'The ways to vote': 47 states plus D.C. offer early in-person voting; 37 states plus D.C. offer no-excuse mail voting; 35 states need mail ballots to arrive by Election Day.

ALT 'The ways to vote': 47 states plus D.C. offer early in-person voting; 37 states plus D.C. offer no-excuse mail voting; 35 states need mail ballots to arrive by Election Day.

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New on our Substack: Counting Votes Is Built in Layers. Once your ballot is cast, it moves through paper records, tested scanners, reconciliation, a canvass, a post-election audit, and certification. Each layer leaves a record the next one can check, so no single machine, office, or person has the final word. Voters want exactly that. In the Rainey Center Democracy Poll, 76% supported requiring statistically sound audit methods, and 65% supported requiring paper ballots for recounts. From the Free and Fair Elections Team at the Rainey Center. Read the full piece at the link in bio or below. #RaineyCenter #PreparedVoter #ElectionIntegrity
Title card: 'Counting votes is built in layers,' with five stacked layers: paper, tested scanners, reconciliation and canvass, audit, certification. Second card: 76% support statistically sound audits; 65% support paper ballots for recounts.

ALT Title card: 'Counting votes is built in layers,' with five stacked layers: paper, tested scanners, reconciliation and canvass, audit, certification. Second card: 76% support statistically sound audits; 65% support paper ballots for recounts.

Title card: 'Counting votes is built in layers,' with five stacked layers: paper, tested scanners, reconciliation and canvass, audit, certification. Second card: 76% support statistically sound audits; 65% support paper ballots for recounts.

ALT Title card: 'Counting votes is built in layers,' with five stacked layers: paper, tested scanners, reconciliation and canvass, audit, certification. Second card: 76% support statistically sound audits; 65% support paper ballots for recounts.

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"Democracy is not a spectator sport." @katieharbath on what it means to panic responsibly when your feed feels overwhelming. From her Disrupting Politics launch with @SarahEHunt01 and @robsmithonline. #RaineyCenter #DisruptingPolitics
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Easy to vote, hard to cheat. @SarahEHunt01 on how Rainey Center supports the state and local officials who run and shape America's elections. #RaineyCenter #FreeAndFairElections
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