Compiling the results from an election for the purpose of validating and officially certifying the results. Canvassing may include counting of ballots as well as review of the statements of the vote prepared by poll workers and of results tapes printed from DREs and optical scanners.
What does canvassing mean in an election?
The term Canvassing refers to the official process of aggregating and reviewing election returns and related records to determine the complete vote totals before certification. It gives election, security, legal, or technical readers a specific label for the concept rather than a broader everyday meaning.
Is canvassing the same as counting votes?
No. Counting or tabulation produces vote totals from ballots or vote records, while canvassing is the broader official review that aggregates returns, reconciles records, investigates discrepancies, and establishes the complete results before certification. Tabulation is therefore an input to canvassing, not a synonym for the entire canvass process.
What happens during the election canvass?
During the canvass, election officials review and aggregate returns, reconcile ballot and voter records, account for provisional or late-counted ballots where applicable, resolve documented discrepancies, and prepare the official totals for certification. The exact steps, deadlines, public meetings, and responsible canvassing board depend on the jurisdiction's election law and administrative procedures.
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Compiling the results from an election for the purpose of validating and officially certifying the results. Canvassing may include counting of ballots as well as review of the statements of the vote prepared by poll workers and of results tapes printed from DREs and optical scanners.
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Canvassing. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 20, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/canvassing
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