What Happens After Election Day? Michigan’s County Canvass Is Underway

Election Day for Michigan’s August 4 Primary is over, but the work of reviewing and certifying the election results is still underway.

Across Michigan, bipartisan Boards of County Canvassers are conducting the post-election county canvass. This process reviews local election records, checks precinct results for accuracy, corrects clerical or mathematical errors when necessary, and produces the certified results for each county.

The results reported on election night are unofficial. The canvass is the process used to review those results before they become official.

What happens after the polls close?

The canvass begins with work completed at each voting precinct.

After the polls close, election inspectors save the electronic poll book records, produce the statement of votes, and secure ballots and other election materials in sealed containers.

Election materials then go through a receiving board, which checks that required materials are properly secured and that the number of voters recorded matches the number of ballots cast. The statement of votes and other records are then provided to the Board of County Canvassers for review.

These steps create multiple opportunities to identify and correct clerical errors before results are certified.

Who conducts the county canvass?

Each of Michigan’s 83 counties has a four-member Board of County Canvassers made up of two Republicans and two Democrats.

The board is responsible for reviewing and certifying election results within the county.

What does the Board of County Canvassers review?

During the canvass, board members review election records from individual precincts, including poll books and statements of votes.

The process includes checking records for completeness and accuracy, correcting obvious mathematical errors, tabulating valid write-in votes, and recording the final number of votes cast for candidates and ballot proposals.

The board then determines the results for the races and ballot questions it is responsible for certifying.

Under Michigan law, certification is a ministerial, clerical, and nondiscretionary duty. The role of the canvassers is to review the election records and certify the results according to the law.

When will the county results be certified?

Boards of County Canvassers were required to begin meeting no later than Thursday, August 6, following the August 4 Primary Election.

They have 14 days after Election Day to complete the canvass and certify their county’s results.

Tuesday, August 18: Deadline for Michigan’s Boards of County Canvassers to complete the county canvass and certify election results.

After county certification is complete, the Michigan Board of State Canvassers conducts the state canvass for the races it is responsible for certifying.

Learn more about observing the canvass

The League of Women Voters of Michigan is seeking volunteers from democracy partner organizations for its 2026 Board of Canvassers Observation Program, particularly in areas of the state without a local League presence.

Observers receive training and submit reports after their observation shifts.

Read our post about the LWVMI Board of Canvassers Observation Program and how to express interest in volunteering.

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