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Back to Rumor Control

The rumor is True

Machines and counting Nationwide

“It is normal for a candidate who trails on election night to pull ahead as more votes are counted.”

The fact

Leads can change because states count and report mail, early and Election Day ballots at different times.

State law sets the pace: Florida can process mail ballots as they arrive, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin must wait until Election Day, and California counts ballots postmarked on time that arrive up to seven days later. Some claim a changing lead is abnormal, but no state has to finish its official count on election night. Wait for official results.

How this story developed

  1. The White House Rapid Response account replies "No, it isn't" to a PBS News post saying this is normal.

How we know: 4 sources

Official statements 1

  1. California Secretary of State: results change during the canvass Checked

Court and primary records 1

  1. NCSL: when mail ballot processing and counting can begin, Apr 22 Checked Archived copy

News reports 1

  1. CNN: White House falsely says shifting results are not normal, Nov 1 Checked Archived copy

Fact-checks 1

  1. PolitiFact: not all results will be known on election night, Oct 29 Checked