Alabama |
Noon on the second Friday after the election (17-12-15). |
State legislators and members of Congress: 10 days after receiving returns from counties (17-12-21). Presidential electors: 15 days after returns are made (17-14-34). Constitutional offices: certified by House of Representatives in next session (17-12-19). |
Auto recount: must commence within 72 hours of county/state certification; completion deadline not specified (17-16-20). Requested recount: request must be filed within 48 hours. of completion of county canvass; completion deadline not specified. (17-16-21) |
State legislator: Must be commenced in county circuit court within 20 days after results certified or re-certified in the event of a recount (17-16-49). Constitutional offices: Must be filed with the speaker of the House within 10 days after the Speaker has proclaimed the results (17-16-63). |
Alaska |
Day after election (15.15.370). |
Not specified (15.15.450). |
Application must be filed within five days (three days for governor and lieutenant governor) after completion of the state review (15.20.430). Must begin three-to-five days after receipt of application (15.20.460). Must be completed within 10 days (15.20.480). |
Action must be brought in superior court within 10 days of state certification (15.20.550). |
Arizona |
Twenty days after election (16-642). |
Deadline not specified in statute (16-650). |
After canvass (16.662); deadline for completion not specified. |
Must be filed in the court where the contest is commenced within five days after completion of canvass and declaration of results (16-673). |
Arkansas |
Presidential electors: Eightdays after election (7-8-304(a)). All other offices: 15th calendar day after election (7-5-701). |
Presidential electors: canvassed within 20 days of election (7-8-304(b)); certified within five days of canvass (7-8-305). Members of Congress: 30 days after receipt of results from counties (7-5-703). Constitutional officers: certified by the General Assembly during the first week of session (7-5-705). |
Must be requested no later than two days after county board declares preliminary/unofficial results (this occurs on election night), unless the number of outstanding ballots from overseas voters is enough to potentially change the results; In such case, may be requested any time before canvass is completed and results are certified (7-5-319 |
A contest of election results must be filed with the relevant county circuit court, or for statewide elections, the Pulaski County circuit court, within seven calendar days after the final certification of the election result. (7-5-810). State senator: Rules and procedures are established by the senate (7-5-805(a)).. State representative: Claim must be filed with the State Claims Commission within 15 days of county certification (7-5-805(b)). State executive officers: Contests are decided by a joint vote of the General Assembly; no deadlines are specified (7-5-806) |
California |
Within 30 days of election (Elec. 15372) |
Presidential electors: 32nd day after election (Elec. 15505). All other offices: 38th day after election (Elec. 15503 and 15504). |
County level: Petition for must be filed no later than 5 p.m. on the fifth day after completion of the county canvass (Elec. 15620). State level: Petition must be filed within five days beginning on the 31st day after the election (Elec. 15621). Deadlines for completion not specified. |
All filing deadlines relate to the declaration of results of the election or of any post-election risk-limiting audit that is conducted, and filings are made with the clerk of the superior court having jurisdiction: if the grounds relate to election crimes, six months; in case of a tie, 20 days; in cases involving presidential electors, 10 days; in all other cases, 30 days (Elec. 16401). |
Colorado |
The 22nd day after election (1-10-103). An amended abstract is issued in the event a recount changes the original results. |
The 27th day after election (1-10-103(2)), |
Automatic recounts: must be completed by the 35th day after the election (1-10.5-103), Requested recounts: request must be filed within 28 days of election (1-10.5-106(2)); must be completed by 37th day after election (1-10.5-106(2)), |
Presidential electors: state supreme court has jurisdiction and prescribes all rules (1-11-204), State office: notice of intention must be filed with the secretary of the Senate between the sixth and 10th days of the first legislative session following the election (1-11-205). State legislators: notice of intention must be filed with secretary of state within 10 days of the completion of official abstract of votes cast (1-11-208(2)). |
Connecticut |
Forty-eight hours after the polls close (9-314, as amended by P.A. 20-3-see sec. 14). |
Presidential electors and members of Congress: last Wednesday of November (9-315). State officers: Certified by the General Assembly on the first day of session (9-318). State legislators: Canvassed and declared during the month they are cast; SOS gives notice to persons elected within three days (9-319). |
Recanvass in case of discrepancy: conducted within three days of election (9-311). Recanvass in case of close vote: SOS must notify clerks upon tabulation of office that qualify for a recanvass, and the recanvass shall proceed "forthwith" (9-311a). Both must be completed before canvass deadline. |
Complaint must be brought to supreme court no later than 14 days after the election, or, if the complaint pertains to the manual tabulation of ballots as provided in 9-320f, not later than seven days after the close of manual tabulation. (9-323 and -324). |
Delaware |
At 10 a.m. on the second day after the election (Del. Const. Art. V §6 and 15 Del. C. §5701). |
The governor shall, without delay, examine the returns and declare the persons elected (15 Del. C. 5710, 5711, 5712, 5713). |
Requested Recounts: Request must be made before the adjournment of the canvassing board. Completion deadline is not specified. Automatic Recounts: Timing is not specified. (15 Del. C. 5702). |
Presidential electors: Must give notice to governor and other party within 10 days of the governor’s proclamation of the vote (15 Del. C. 5902). State legislators: Must give notice of intention to the person whose seat is being contested at least 20 days before the meeting of the General Assembly. (15 Del. C. 5901). All other offices: Notice must be filed with prothonotary of the county in which the contest is made within 20 days after certification of the election and at least 60 days before the first day of the term of the court where the contest will be heard (15 Del. C. 5945). |
Florida |
Noon on the 12th day after the election (102.112(2)). |
At 9 a.m. on the 14th day after the election (102.111(b)). |
Secretary of state orders automatic recounts; timing is not specified. County canvassing boards conduct recounts and must report results to the state no later than 3 p.m. on the fifth day after a primary or the ninth day after a general election. If county board is unable to complete the recount within this time frame, it must still comply with certification deadlines (102.141(7)(c)). |
Complaint must be filed with circuit court within 10 days after midnight on the date the last canvassing board empowered to canvass the returns has certified such returns (102.168(2)). |
Georgia |
At 5 p.m. on the second Friday following the election (21-2-493(k)). |
Presidential electors: Governor certifies no later than 5 p.m. on the 18th day following the election. All other offices: Secretary of state certifies no later than 5 p.m. on the 17th day following the election(21-2-499(b) |
Recounts conducted when an error or discrepancy is suspected must be conducted before certification (21-2-495). When results are within 0.5% of total votes cast for the office, recount must be requested within 2 days after certification (21-2-495(c)). A deadline for completion is not specified. |
Petition must be filed with the clerk of the superior court having jurisdiction within five days after official certification (21-2-524). |
Hawaii |
After the expiration of the time for bringing an election contest (11-155). Deadline for bringing a contest is not later than 4:30 p.m. on the 20th day following a general election (11-174.5). |
Presidential electors: Not later than 4:30 p.m. on the last day in the month of the election, or as soon as the returns have been received from all counties in the state, if received before that time (14-24). All other offices: After the expiration of the time for bringing a contest, or if there is a contest, after a final determination has been made and the time for an appeal has passed (11-156). |
A recount is conducted after completion of the official tabulation and must be completed within 72 hours after the polls close (11-158). |
Complaint must be filed with the clerk of the supreme court not later than 4:30 p.m. on the 20th day following a general election (11-174.5). |
Idaho |
Within 10 days after election (34-1205). (Results are certified upon completion of the canvass; date may vary.) |
Within 15 days after election (34-1211). (Results are certified upon completion of the canvass; date may vary.) |
Must be requested within 20 days after canvass; deadline for completion not specified (34-2301). |
Executive officers and state legislators: Notice must be filed with secretary of state within 20 days of the election (34-2108). All other offices: Complaint must be filed with the proper court within 20 days after the votes are canvassed (34-2008). |
Illinois |
Within 21 days of the election (10 ILCS 5/21-2). |
Within 31 days of the election, or sooner if all the returns are received (10 ILCS 5/22-7). |
N/A: state does not have a requested recount process; recounts are only conducted by court order as part of a contest proceeding (10 ILCS 5/23-23.2). |
Petition must be filed with clerk of supreme court within 15 days of the official proclamation of results (10 ILCS 5/23-1.2a). |
Indiana |
Not later than noon on the second Monday following the election (3-12-5-6). |
Governor and lieutenant governor: General Assembly certifies (3-12-5-5) no later than the day their terms commence (Const. Art. V, §9). Presidential electors and other state offices: No later than the second Tuesday in December (3-12-5-8). |
Candidates must petition no later than noon 14 days after election; party chairs must petition no later than noon 17 days after election (3-12-11-2). Recounts for presidential electors must be completed not later than six days before the time fixed for the meeting of the electors (3-12-11-19.5). Recounts for governor and lieutenant governor must be completed before the date specified in the constitution for the beginning of the governor’s term (3-12-11-20). Recounts for state legislators must be completed not later than Dec. 20 (3-12-11-21). |
Candidates must petition no later than noon 14 days after election; party chairs must petition no later than noon 17 days after election (3-12-11-2). |
Iowa |
Within 13 days after the election (50.30). |
No later than 27 days after the election (50.38). |
Must be requested not later than 5 p.m. on the third day and completed not later than the 18th day following the county board’s canvass (50.48). |
Presidential electors and members of Congress: Statement must be filed with secretary of state within two days of the state canvass (60.4). Final judgment and determination must be rendered at least six days before the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December (60.5). Governor and lieutenant governor: Intent to contest must be delivered to the presiding officer of each house of the General Assembly within 30 days of the proclamation of results (58.1). General Assembly: Notice of contest must be served on incumbent prior to 20 days before the first day of the next session, and filed with the secretary of state within 5 days after that (59.1). Other state officers: Statement must be filed with secretary of state within 30 days after the incumbent was declared elected (61.3). |
Kansas |
Second Tuesday after the election (25-3203). |
State Board of Canvassers meets no later than Dec. 1; deadline to complete canvass and certify results is not specified (KSA 25-3206). |
Must be requested by 5 p.m. on the day following the meeting of the county board of canvassers (25-3107(b)). Must be completed not later than 5 p.m. on the fifth day following the filing of the request, including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (25-3107(b)). |
Notice must be filed with the clerk of the district court in the county where the person whose election is contested resides within five days after certificate of election is issued (25-1439). |
Kentucky |
Noon on the Friday following the election (118.425(4)). May be delayed in the event of a recount or recanvass (117.305) |
No later than the third Monday after the election (118.425(5)). |
Must be requested 10 days after election (120.185); a deadline for completion is not specified. |
Governor, lieutenant governor and state legislator: Notice must be filed within 30 days after final action of the State Board of Elections; for legislators, must be filed within 15 days after final action of either the county or state board, whichever canvasses the returns. Contests are heard by the General Assembly (120.195). All other candidates: Any candidate who received votes equal to at least 25% of the votes cast for the successful candidate may file a petition in the circuit court of the county where the contestee resides within 30 days after the election. (120.155) |
Louisiana |
Election returns must be filed with the clerk of the court no later than 4 p.m. on the 5th day after the election. Clerk of the court must transmit results to SOS by noon on the sixth day (18:574). |
Within 30 days of the election (18:513). |
Must be requested by 4:30 p.m. on the last working day prior to the date of the recount. All recounts of absentee by mail and early voting ballots shall be held at 10 a.m. or following the reinspection of voting machines on the 5th day after the election and at any time ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction (18:1313(K)). A deadline for completion is not specified. |
Must be filed no later than 4:30 p.m. on the ninth day after the election (18:1405) in the district court of the parish where the state capitol is located for statewide offices, or of the parish where the district is located (18:1404). |
Maine |
At 5 p.m. on the second business day after the election (21A §712). |
Within 20 days after the election (21A §722). |
Request must be filed within five business days after the election (21A §737-A). A deadline for completion is not specified. |
No contest process. |
Maryland |
Second Friday after the election, or, if the canvass is completed after that date, within 48 hours after completion of the canvass (Elec. 11-401(c)). |
Board of State Canvassers convenes within 35 days of an election; deadline for completion not specified (Elec. 11-503). |
Petition must be filed within three days after the county results are certified; no deadline for completion is specified (Elec. 12-101). |
Must be filed with appropriate circuit court within the earlier of 10 days after the act or omission became known to the petitioner or seven days after the election (Elec. 12-202). |
Massachusetts |
Within 15 days of election (54-112). |
Presidential electors: Within 10 days of when the records of votes are transmitted to the secretary of state, they are examined by the governor and council, who declare by proclamation the names of those elected. If no contest has been filed, the governor issues certificates of election 14 days after the proclamation (54-118). All other offices: Not before 5 p.m. on the 15th day after the election, or after a recount has been resolved; no deadline is specified (54-116). |
Local recounts: Petition must be filed by 5 p.m. on the 10th day after the election (54-135). State recounts: Petition must be filed by 5 p.m. on the 15th day after the election (54-135). |
Must file claim with a city or town clerk within 30 days after election (54-134). |
Michigan |
Fourteen days after election (168.822). If unofficial returns show presidential results are within 25,000 votes, secretary of state may order an expedited certification for presidential electors, due on a date specified by the board between the seventh and 13th days after the election (168.842(2)) |
Not later than the 40th day after the election (168.842). If unofficial returns show presidential results are within 25,000 votes, secretary of state may order an expedited canvass to be completed no later than the 20th day after the election. (168.842(3)). The governor shall certify the results as soon as practicable after the canvass (168.46) |
Local requested recount: Must be requested within six days after completion of the county canvass (168.866) and completed not later than the 30th day following the last day for filing counter petitions (168.875) (Counter petitions must be filed by 4 p.m. on the seventh day after the filing of the recount petition; see 168.882) State requested recount: Must be filed not later than 48 hours after the completion of the canvass; deadline for completion not specified. (168.879) Automatic recounts: Conducted after result has been certified (168.880a) |
No contest process. |
Minnesota |
Tenth day following election (204C.37) |
Canvass begins on the third Tuesday after the election Presidential electors: returns are canvassed and results declared on the day the canvass begins (208.05) All other offices: No end date is specified; board must declare results within 3 days of completing canvass (204C.33) |
Must be requested not later than 5 p.m. on the second day after completion of the canvass for the office being sought; deadline for completion is not specified (204C.35, Subdiv. 1(b)(2)) |
Must be filed within seven days after the canvass is completed with the district court of Ramsey County for statewide offices or with the district court in the county where the contestee resides for any other office (209.021) Time for notice of a contest for an office which is recounted shall begin to run upon certification of the results of the recount (204C.35(d)) |
Mississippi |
Within 10 days after the election (23-15-603) |
State officers: returns are delivered to the speaker of the House at the next session (23-15-603) All other offices: Not later than 30 days after the election (23-15-605) |
No recount process. |
Must file in the office of the clerk of the circuit court of the county within 20 days after election. (23-15-951) |
Missouri |
Judges of election must make returns to county clerks within two days of the election; within eight days of receiving them, clerks must certify and transmit returns to the governor (128.060) |
Presidential electors: The governor, on receipt of the certificates from the counties which he received within 15 days after the election, shall immediately add up the vote from the counties and declare duly elected the person in each district receiving the highest number of votes (128.070) All other offices: Not later than the second Tuesday in December (115.511) |
Must be filed no later than seven days after state certification of election; must be complete within 20 days of receipt of the notice (115.601(3)) |
Must file with the clerk of the supreme court within 30 days after the announcement of results (115.557) |
Montana |
Canvassing board meets 14 days after the election (13-15-401); may be postponed if not all returns are received (13-15-402) |
Within 27 days after the election, or sooner if all returns are received (13-15-502) |
Request must be filed with the secretary of state within five days after the official canvass (13-16-201). Recount board must convene within five days; no deadline for completion is specified (13-16-204) |
Must be filed with the district court of the county five days or less after a candidate is certified the winner (13-36-102) |
Nebraska |
Third Monday after the election (32-1035) |
Officers of executive departments: Canvassed by the legislature at its next regular session (32-1039) All other offices: Board of state canvassers meets on the fourth Monday after the election; deadline for completion not specified. (32-1037) Certificates of election must be prepared and delivered within 40 days of the election (32-1040) |
Automatic recount: A recount at the local level shall be made as soon as possible after the adjournment of the county canvassing board. A recount at the state level begins at 9 a.m. on the fifth Wednesday after the election. (32-1119) Completion deadlines are not specified. Requested recount: Request must be filed not later than the 10th day after the relevant canvassing board concludes (32-1121). Completion deadlines not specified. |
State officers: Must be filed in the district court of Lancaster County within 40 days after the election (32-1102) |
Nevada |
On or before the 10th day following election (32nd (2020) Special Session, AB 4, sec. 50) |
On the fourth Tuesday of November after each general election, the justices of the Supreme Court, or a majority thereof, shall meet with the secretary of state, and shall open and canvass the vote. (293.395) Deadline for completion not specified. |
Request must be made within three working days of county canvass (293.403); must begin within five days of demand and must finish within five days of beginning (293.405). |
Statement must be filed with the clerk of the district court within 14 days after the election, or five days after recount is completed (293.413) |
New Hampshire |
No later than 8 a.m. on the day after the election (659:75) |
When the time for a recount or appeal has expired or when all candidates have in writing waived the right to a recount or appeal (659:84). The deadline for requesting a recount is the Friday following the election (660:1) |
Application must be submitted no later than the Friday following the election (660:1) The Wednesday following the deadline for application is the latest date a recount can begin. (660:4) No end date is specified. |
State legislators: Must be filed with the secretary of state on or before Dec. 15 (660:18). No contest procedure specified for other offices. |
New Jersey |
2020 only: The county clerks' transmittal of the official November General Election results to the secretary of state, under NJSA 19:19-13, must occur on or before Nov. 23, 2020, and county clerks may not seek an extension of this deadline (Executive Order 177, sec. 17) |
2020 only: The meeting of the State Board of Canvassers, under NJSA 19:21-1, shall occur on or before Dec. 8, 2020, to certify the results of the November General Election (Executive Order 177, sec. 17) |
Application must be filed within 17 days following the election (19:28-1). No deadline for completion is specified. |
Petition must be filed with the clerk of the Superior Court not later than 32 days after the election, or within 12 days after the result of a recount has been announced (19:29-3) |
New Mexico |
No later than 10 days after the election, or 15 days for a county with more than 150,000 voters (1-13-13) |
Third Tuesday after the election (1-13-15). Certificates of election must be issued no later than the 31st day after the election (1-13-13(C)) |
Requested recount: Must be filed within six days after the completion of the canvass by the proper canvassing board (1-14-14). Date for conducting the recount must not be more than 10 days after the filing of the application for the recount (1-14-16). Deadline for completion not specified. Automatic recount: For recounts conducted in only one county, a recount is ordered within seven days of receiving county clerk’s notice that it is necessary after completion of the canvass. Multicounty recounts are ordered upon completion of the state canvass. (1-14-24) Deadline for completion is not specified. |
Complaint must be filed in the district court of the county where either candidate resides no later than 30 days after the issuance of the certificate of election (1-14-3) |
New York |
Twenty-five days after the election (Elec. 9-214) |
The State Board of Canvassers shall meet on or before the first Monday after the first Wednesday after the election to canvass statements from the counties. The board may adjourn from day to day, not exceeding five days. (Elec. 2-16(2)) |
No recount procedure is specified in statute. |
No contest procedure is specified in statute. |
North Carolina |
11 a.m. on the 10th day after the election; county board may hold canvassing meeting a reasonable time thereafter if initial counting has not been completed (163-182.5(b)) |
Not more than 10 days after the Tuesday that is three weeks after Election Day. (163-182.5(c)) Certificates must be issued six days after completion of the canvass unless there is a protest pending. If there is a protest, the certificate shall be issued 10 days after the final decision of the state board on the protest (163-182.15) |
For ballot items within the jurisdiction of the county board: request must be made by 5 p.m. on the first business day after the canvass. For ballot items within the jurisdiction of the state board: request must be made by noon on the second business day after the county canvass. (163-182.7) No deadlines for completion are specified. |
A protest concerning the conduct of the election must be filed with the county board of elections no later than 5 p.m. on the second business day after the county results are certified. (163-182.9) Contests for council of state offices and state legislators must be filed with the clerk of the House within 10 days of the issuance of the certificate of election (120-10.3) |
North Dakota |
Before 4 p.m. on the eighth day following the election (16.1-15-25) |
State Canvassing Board meets no later than the 17th day after the election. (16.1-15-35) Deadline for completion not specified. |
Requested recounts: A demand for a recount must be made within three days after the canvass by the relevant board (16.1-16-01(3)) Recounts limited to a county must be held within eight days after the canvass. Recounts for state legislators must be held within seven days of notice, and statewide races within 14 days of notice. (16.1-16-01(4)). Deadlines for completion are not specified. Automatic recounts: Secretary of state shall notify counties to conduct mandatory recounts within four days of the state canvass. If limited to a county, must be held within eight days after the canvass. Recounts for state legislators must be held within seven days of notice, and statewide races within 14 days of notice. (16.1-16-01(4)) |
Presidential electors: Must be filed with the board for trial of contests of presidential electors by 4 p.m. on the 10th day after the governor's proclamation of the vote (16.1-14-09) The time fixed for the hearing must be not less than three and not more than 15 days from the filing of the petition (16.1-14-10) For all other offices: Must be filed in the district court in the county of the contestee’s residence within five days after the final certification of a recount, or if no recount is conducted, within 14 days after final certification (16.1-16-04) |
Ohio |
Not later than the 21st day after the election (3505.32) |
State executive offices: During the first week of the session after a regular election, the General Assembly canvasses the votes, declares the results, and certifies them to the secretary of state (3505.34) Federal offices and state offices other than executive: Not later than 10 days after the abstracts have been received from all counties, the secretary of state canvasses (3505.35). |
Petition must be filed within five days after the results are declared by the relevant board (3515.02). Recount must be conducted no later than 10 days after the application is filed (3515.03). |
Petition must be filed with the clerk of the appropriate court within 15 days after the results have been ascertained and announced by the proper authority, or if there is a recount, within 10 days after the results of the recount have been ascertained and announced by the proper authority (3515.09) |
Oklahoma |
If no contest shall be filed by 5 p.m. Friday next following an election, the county election boards and State Election Board shall declare the result of such election (26-8-108) |
After 5 p.m. on the Tuesday following the election (26-7-136). Deadline for completion not specified. |
Must be filed before 5 p.m. on the Friday following the election (26-8-109). The recount must begin not less than three nor more than 10 days after the petition is filed (26-8-111(8)). Deadline for completion not specified. |
A petition for a contest based on irregularities must be filed with the secretary of the election board with whom the candidate filed declaration of candidacy, before 5 p.m. Friday following the election. The hearing must be scheduled no less than three nor more than 10 days from the date the petition is filed. There is no completion date specified. (26-8-118) |
Oregon |
No later than the 20th day after the election (254.545(3)) |
Not later than the 30th day after the election (254.555) |
Presidential electors: Must be filed no later than five business days after the secretary of state declares the result of the election (258.161(9)) Other offices: The first demand shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state not later than the 35th day and a supplemental demand not later than the 45th day after the date of the election in which votes were cast (258.161(8)) |
Petition must be filed with the circuit court of Marion County in the case of statewide races, or with the circuit court of the county where a majority of electors in the district reside, no later than the 40th day after the election or the seventh day after the completion of a recount (258.036) |
Pennsylvania |
Unofficial returns submitted to secretary of state by 5 p.m. on the Tuesday after the election. If after five days, no petition for a recount or recanvass has been filed, or upon completion of any recount or recanvass that is timely filed, the county board shall certify the results. (25 PSA 3154(f)) |
Upon receiving the certified returns from the various county boards. No completion deadline is specified. (25 PSA 3159) |
Automatic recounts: The secretary shall order by 5 p.m. on the second Thursday following the election. Recount must be scheduled to be held by the third Wednesday following the election and must be completed by noon on the following Tuesday. (25 PSA 3154(g)(5)) Requested recounts: Any three qualified electors may petition alleging fraud or error occurred in the canvass and a recount or recanvass is conducted. Voting machines may be recanvassed at any time within 20 days after the date of the election (25 PSA 3261 and 3262) |
Petition must be filed within 20 days after the election (25 PSA 3456) |
Rhode Island |
The local board shall meet on the day following the election and shall tabulate the election returns and announce the results, but shall issue no certificates of election until the time for filing petitions for recounts (seven days after the election) has expired and, if a petition has been filed, until the petition has been finally determined (17-19-36) |
Immediately after completing the counting, canvass, and tabulating of the votes cast. Deadline for completion not specified. (17-22-6) |
Request must be submitted within seven days after election (17-19-36). Deadline for completion not specified. |
No contest procedure is specified in statute. |
South Carolina |
No later than noon on the Saturday after the election (7-17-20) |
Board of State Canvassers convenes within 10 days of the election. (7-17-220) Deadline for completion not specified. |
Recount is ordered “forthwith.” (7-17-280) |
Must be filed with the State Board of Elections by noon not more than five days after the canvass for that office. (7-17-260) |
South Dakota |
Within six calendar days after the election. (12-20-36) |
The Board of State Canvassers must convene within seven days after the election. The board may adjourn for up to 10 days for the purpose of obtaining returns from each county. The board reconvenes after any recount to recanvass the election with the certificates corrected by the recount. (12-21-39) Deadline for completion not specified. |
Presidential electors: May be requested at any after the election and prior to the canvass by the State Board of Canvassers (12-21-15) All other candidates: Must be filed within three days after completion of the canvass (12-21-10 and -11) Precinct recounts: Voters may file petition for a recount of the returns for a specified candidate or measure within 10 days after election; three-day extension of 10 day deadline for subsequent petitions for same precinct. (12-21-8). Recount must “proceed as expeditiously as reasonably possible until completed.” (12-21-20.1) |
Must be commenced within 10 days after official canvass, or in the event of a recount, within five days of the completion of the recount (12-22-5) |
Tennessee |
No later than the third Monday after the election. (2-8-101) |
“As soon as the returns are received” (2-8-110(a)) |
N/A – no recount process |
Presidential electors: Complaint must be filed with the secretary of state within 10 days of election and shall be decided finally and unreviewably before the last day of November by the presidential electors tribunal composed of the governor, secretary of state and attorney general and reporter. (2-17-103) All other offices: Complaint must be filed with the secretary of state within five days after certification. (2-17-205) |
Texas |
The last day for local canvassing authority to meet is the 14th day after the election (Elec. 67.003) Must be delivered to secretary of state within 24 hours of completion. (Elec. 67.007) |
Governor and lieutenant governor: Canvassed by the legislature during the first week of the session (Elec. 67.011 and Const. Art. IV §3) All other offices: The governor shall conduct the canvass at a time set by the secretary of state not earlier than the 18th or later than the 33rd day after the election. (Elec. 67.012) |
Petition must be submitted by 5 p.m. on the fifth day after the election, or 5 p.m. on the second day after the canvassing authority to whom the petition must be submitted completes its canvass, whichever is later (Elec. 212.028). No deadline for completion is specified. |
Presidential electors: Petition must be filed with the secretary of state not later than the 10th day after the date the election records are publicly available or the official result is determined (Elec. 243.003). The governor shall determine the outcome of the contested election and render the decision not later than the seventh day before the date set by law for the meeting of the electors. (Elec. 243.012 State legislators and state executive offices: Petition must be filed not later than the seventh day after the date the election records are publicly available or the official result is determined be filed with secretary of state (Elec. 241.003 and .002) |
Utah |
Board of county canvassers meets no later than 14 days after the election (20A-4-301(1)(b)) If the lieutenant governor has not received results from a county on the fifth day before the state canvassing board meets, a messenger may be dispatched to demand a certified copy (20A-4-306(3)) |
State board of canvassers convenes at noon on the fourth Monday of November. (20A-4-306(1)). No deadline for completion is specified. |
Request must be filed with municipal, local district, or county clerk within seven days after the canvass. (20A-4-401(1)(d)) Deadline for completion not specified. |
Request must be filed in the district court of the county within 40 days of canvass (20A-4-403) |
Vermont |
Within 48 hours of the close of the polls (17-2588(6)(C)) |
The canvassing committees shall meet at 10 a.m. one week after the election. They may recess from time to time until they complete their work. (17-2592(g)) Deadline for completion not specified. |
Petition must be filed within seven calendar days after the election. The superior court shall set the date of the recount to be 10 business days after the court receives the petition (17 VSA 2602). No deadline for completion is specified. |
Complaint must be filed with a superior court within 15 days of election, or if there is a recount, within 10 days after court issues judgment on recount (17 VSA 2603(c)) |
Virginia |
Not later than seven days after the election (24.2-671) |
The State Board meets on the third Monday in November. If a majority is not present or if, for any other reason, the board is unable to ascertain the results on that day, the meeting shall stand adjourned from day to day for not more than three days until a quorum is present and the board has ascertained the results. (24.2-679) |
Presidential electors: Must be filed no later than 5 p.m. on the second calendar day after the State Board certifies the election result. (24.2-801.1(A)). Must be completed at least six days before the time fixed for the meeting of the electors. (24.2-801.1(E)) All other offices: Petition must be filed within 10 days of certification (24.2-801). Deadline for completion not specified. |
Presidential electors: Notice must be filed with the circuit court in the city of Richmond no later than 5 p.m. on the second calendar day after results are certified. Must be completed at least six days before the meeting of the electors and shall not wait on the results of any recount. (24.2-805) All other offices: Must be filed with the clerk of the circuit court within 30 days after the election or within 10 days following the completion of a recount (24.2-808) |
Washington |
Twenty-one days after a general election (29A.60.190) |
Not later than the 30th day after the election (29A.60.250) |
Requested recounts: Request must be filed within two business days after the declaration of official results (29A.64.011) Mandatory recounts: Must be ordered within three days of certification (29A.64.021(1)(a)) Deadlines for completion not specified in either case. |
Affidavit must be filed with the appropriate court within 10 days of the certification of the election (29A.68.013) |
West Virginia |
Within 30 days of the election, or, if there is a recount, within 30 days of the completion of the recount (3-6-11) |
Presidential electors, members of Congress: After receiving results from county commissioners within 30 days after the election, the governor ascertains who is elected and makes a proclamation thereof State legislators: Secretary of state transmits results to the relevant chamber, which canvasses and certifies results during its next regular session. (3-6-11) State officers: Secretary of state transmits results to the House of Delegates, which canvasses and certifies results during its next regular session. A copy is also transmitted to the governor, who immediately tabulates the results and causes them to be printed in a newspaper. (3-6-11) |
There is a period of 48-hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays) between when the county canvass is completed and when the results are certified. Requests for recounts must be received during this period (3-6-9(a)(8)). No deadline for completion is specified. |
Contestant must give notice to the person whose election is contested within 10 days after the election is certified (3-7-1) |
Wisconsin |
No later than 14 days after the election. (7.60(5)) |
No later than Dec. 1 (7.70(3)) |
Petition must be filed not later than 5 p.m. on the third business day following the last meeting day of the board of canvassers (9.01(1)(a)). Must be completed no later than 13 days after the date of the order directing the recount. (9.01(1)(ar)) |
No contest procedure; however, the results of a recount may be appealed to circuit court within five days after the recount is completed (9.01(6)) |
Wyoming |
No later than the first Friday following the election. (22-16-103(c)(1)) |
No later than the second Wednesday following the election (22-16-118) |
Petition must be filed not later than two days after the canvass has been completed (2-16-110). Must be completed 72 hours after the request. (22-16-112(c)) |
Presidential electors: Notice must be filed with the legislative service office within five days after results are certified (22-17-114) State legislators: Notice of intent must be filed with secretary of state within 30 days after results are certified (22-17-110) All other offices: Petition must be filed with district court of the county within 14 days after results are certified (22-17-102) No deadlines for completion are specified for any of the above. |