The First Count: Election Night
The certification journey begins the moment polls close. At each polling place, election judges perform an immediate, crucial task: verifying that the number of ballots cast matches the number of voters who signed in. This initial reconciliation ensures the first set of numbers is sound before they leave for the night. These vote totals are then reported to county election officials, who post them on the Secretary of State's website. It’s important to remember these first-reported numbers are always considered 'unofficial results.' They represent a snapshot, not the final, verified tally. The real work of verification is just getting started.
The Local Check: County Canvassing Boards
In the days following the election, the process moves to the county level. Each of Minnesota's 87 counties
convenes a five-member county canvassing board. This group is intentionally bipartisan and cross-functional, typically composed of the county auditor, the district court administrator, the mayor of the county's largest city, and two county board members who are not on the ballot. Their job, known as canvassing, is to publicly review the returns from every precinct in the county. They aren't just rubber-stamping the results; they are auditing the work, correcting clerical errors like typos, and ensuring the totals are accurate before declaring them official at the county level. For federal races like President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House, this board certifies the county's vote totals and forwards them to the state.
The Post-Election Audit: A Hand-Count Review
To add another layer of security, Minnesota law mandates a post-election review after every general election. This is a hand count of ballots for federal offices in randomly selected precincts across the state. The number of precincts varies by county size, but this audit directly compares the paper ballot hand count to the results from the electronic ballot tabulators. This process is a powerful check on the accuracy of the voting equipment and provides tangible proof that the machines are counting votes correctly. The results of this hand-count audit are reported to the Secretary of State.
The Final Step: The State Canvassing Board
The ultimate authority for certifying federal election results rests with the State Canvassing Board. This fivendmember panel meets on the 16th day after the general election. It is chaired by the Secretary of State and includes four judges: two from the Minnesota Supreme Court and two from a district court, all appointed by the Secretary. Critically, none of the appointed judges can be candidates in the election they are certifying. The board's sole duty is to review the certified reports from all 87 counties, compile the statewide results, and officially declare the winners for all federal and statewide offices. Their signed report becomes the permanent, official record of the election.
