Elections are a source of pride for many Americans. People around the world look at American elections as models of freedom, fairness, and checks and balances. Whatever our differences on religion, politics, or anything else, we each have the right to a voice that many people do not have in determining who our leaders are and the direction of our country. At Interfaith America, we believe everyone is a contributor – each of us as individuals and as members of organizations – have a role to play in supporting a free and peaceful election season.
Elections can be divisive as candidates and parties compete for your vote. Election season can also be confusing as you try to understand the federal, state, and local laws. This confusion can be unsettling and, for some, raises questions. Elections can also be a time to unite, to come together to support the electoral process, to win or lose gracefully and commit to working together for the common good. No matter the election outcome, we remain neighbors and Americans on November 6. We remain neighbors and Americans on January 6.
How can we navigate divisiveness and confusion? What can every day Americans do to come together and feel more confident about voting and to promote confidence in the election process?
The most important thing we can do is remain calm, be patient, and trust in the process. And remember, it is a process! For years, many people thought of the election as an event, rather than a process. For example, we used to go to bed on Election Day thinking we knew who won based on media reports. Many people don’t realize that results reported by media outlets on election night are not official. Election results are not finalized for several weeks as the legal processes of receiving ballots, counting votes, and certifying results run their full course. But because people didn’t pay attention to these processes in the past, they seem new now. While some elements of the election process may be new to you, you can take confidence knowing that they have been there all along, a system of checks and balances to make sure every vote is counted accurately, that recounts, if necessary, are conducted fairly, and that the results are audited before becoming official.
There are four key periods of the election process between September and Inauguration Day on January 20. The key to feeling more confident is understanding the elements of the process and knowing what you can do to contribute positively during each of these periods.
Pre-Election
Understand the Process
In early September, election offices are hiring and training staff and volunteers; our neighbors are running our elections! They are also testing and certifying election equipment, which is tested in public for everyone who wants to observe the process. Voter rolls are cross-checked as a step to ensure only eligible voters in that district can receive a ballot.
Some states allow citizens to vote by mail starting in mid-September and many of these states allow voters to track their ballot online to ensure it is received and counted by the election office. Checks are in place to ensure ballot security, including confirming voter rolls and verifying signatures.
Contribute Positively
During the pre-election period make sure you are sharing accurate information about where and how to vote and the safeguards that are in place to secure ballots. The best source of information is your state or county election website and election officials. You can attend the testing of election equipment and meet with election officials to build trust. If your state has mail-in voting, encourage people to get their ballots submitted early to avoid any delays in the mail and to track their ballot online. You can also monitor and speak out against violence and intimidation at ballot drop boxes, informing election officials as necessary.
Election Day
Understand the Process
Voting processes, places, and rules vary by state. Make sure you understand what the rules are in your state for when polling locations open, when they close, and when you must be in line to vote – local election officials and news outlets are the best place to look for this information. Voting locations are staffed by independent poll workers, most of whom are volunteers and many aspects of the voting process are open to the public or observers.
Official results are never available on Election Day. The media may “call” an election based on statistical analysis, or a candidate or party may claim victory – these are not official results. The ballots must all be received and counted before the results are official, and this does not happen on Election Day.
Contribute Positively
Vote and encourage others to vote! After you’ve voted, the most important thing you can do on Election Day is urge calm, patience, and trust in the process. Turn to local news sources and election officials for information about how the process is going in your area and call on candidates and their supporters to wait for, and accept, the will of the voters.
Counting, Results, and Certification
Understand the Process
During this period, teams of impartial election workers confirm the accuracy of results. Results are often checked at the precinct level, at the county level, and again by the state. Election officials then produce certificates with the official winners. Poll workers and election officials have verified voters’ identities, inspected ballots, and looked for and addressed any errors before the results are officially announced and certified.
Teams of people from both parties work together in vote monitoring and counting process. Our system allows candidates to challenge the results. To challenge, candidates must have proof and follow the legal process. Federal law requires states to certify their slate of presidential electors by December 11, 2024.
Contribute Positively
Encourage officials to count every vote and educate yourself on the certification process particulars in your area. You can attend election board meetings or other events to pushback on attempts to subvert the election process, providing support for election officials who may be under pressure to overturn the will of the people.
If you are sharing information about the results and the process, make sure it comes from reliable sources – local election officials and their websites will be the best resource for accurate information.
Electoral College and Congress Counting Electoral Votes
Understand the Process
In 2022, Congress passed the Electoral Count Reform Act (ECRA) to lay out clear processes and deadlines for counting, certifying, and expedited judicial review if there are disputes about results. State electors will cast their votes for President and Vice President on December 17. Some states have laws binding electors to vote for the individuals who won the popular vote in that state; most states have some penalties if electors do not. Each state must deliver its certification and votes to the U.S. Archivist by December 25. On January 3, 2025, members of Congress who were elected in November will be sworn in and get to work passing their rules and procedures for the new session and vote for Congressional leadership, including the Speaker of the House.
On January 6, 2025, the House of Representatives and the Senate meet together to count the Electoral College votes. The ECRA clarified parts of this process, including confirming the Vice President’s Role as ministerial, meaning she must count the votes and cannot change the process in any way. The ECRA also outlined how objections to votes can be made and what are legitimate objections to be made. After Congress counts the Electoral College votes the President is sworn into office at noon on January 20.
Contribute Positively
Be a voice and advocate for calm, patience, and trust in the process. Educate yourself about the Electoral College process in your state and the requirements of the ECRA. Share what you learn publicly and share about the steps that have been taking to protect the accuracy of the count. Call out attempts to delay the process and encourage and support your state officials and members of Congress to fulfill their Constitutional duty.
Elections can be confusing, and it is ok if you have questions. Learning about the process and taking action to contribute positively can alleviate confusion and help others have confidence in the process as well. Remember that no matter the election outcome, we remain neighbors and Americans. We can support each other in accepting the will of the voters and the results of the process and commit to working together across differences to solve our problems.
resource
Faith in Elections Playbook
The Faith in Elections Playbook supports faith-based, civic and campus communities with accessible, actionable resources to support the 2024 election.
Additional Resources
- The nonpartisan U.S. Vote Foundation website can help voters find contact information for their local election office.
- The National Association of Secretaries of State also has specific pages that connect voters to their state’s website dealing with the following topics:
- Vote.org outlines important deadlines related to the election
- Protect Democracy wrote an article explaining the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022
- The Bipartisan Policy Center has an article explaining the Electoral College
