In the days (and sometimes weeks) after Election Day, it takes several steps for local and state election officials to certify final, official results. This process is called the canvass. The process starts with the informal results announced on Election Night and continues in the days following. It typically includes counting provisional ballots, absentee and early voting ballots, and mail ballots that arrive by deadline. It may also include re-examination and re-tabulation of all ballots to make sure that every eligible vote is counted.
In addition, the process of allocating electoral votes to presidential candidates is a little different. It involves a different set of rules, players, and deadlines. Ultimately, it depends on how a state allocates its electoral votes, whether it uses the congressional district method (Maine and Nebraska) or the winner-take-all method (the other states).
The election result maps in this article show the results as certified by local and state election officials after completing the canvass. The mapping tool enables interested parties to visualize election results by a number of criteria including electoral thresholds, the winning percentage for a candidate or political party, and more.