How do the counts happen in the US presidential elections?

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This election is still too close to be called. Counts continue in key states with tight margins. There are more avenues to 270 magic open for former Vice President Joe Biden, but President Donald Trump still has a viable route to re-election.

Both candidates have hired teams of attorneys, as is common practice in US elections, and may request recount in certain circumstances.

In some of the states, if the race gets too close, an automatic count will be activated. President Trump’s campaign team has already said it wants a recount in Wisconsin. Can you do that, and if so, how?

Here is the tip sheet for stories in the remaining states of the battlefield:

Arizona

Arizona rules state that neither candidates nor voters can request recounts directly. However, if, when the final result is declared, the margin between the candidates is less than or equal to 0.1% of the votes cast, a recount is automatically triggered.

Voters can challenge election results in state courts if they suspect misconduct, illegal voting, or counting errors.

Georgia

Here candidates can request a recount if the margin between them is less than 1% of the total votes cast. Currently that margin is 0.3%. Results must be finalized and certified by November 17, and counts can be requested for two days after that.

Michigan

An automatic recount kicks in in Michigan if there are only 2,000 votes or fewer among the candidates. Above that threshold, a candidate can request a recount if he feels he has a “reasonable chance of winning the election.”

Michigan has been called up by Joe Biden, with a margin of victory of nearly 150,000 votes.

Nevada

If the race is tied here, either candidate can request a recount. If there is a winner, regardless of the margin, only the loser is presented for a recount. There is no self-timer for a count.

Pennsylvania

There is an automatic recount provision in Pennsylvania if there are 0.5% or less of the total votes cast among candidates. If a voter suspects that there are errors in the vote totals, they can request a recount in their district and have five days after the election to do so.

Wisconsin

After the official results are finalized, if there is 1% or less among the candidates, the loser can force a recount. If the margin is greater than that, counting is not possible.

President Trump’s campaign team has already indicated that it will request a recount. Results at this stage have not been finalized, but former Vice President Biden has been asked with a margin of just 0.6% so that Trump’s team can legally request a recount here.



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