Despite what we might see on social media or read in the news, election results reported on election night are never final. This is because there are several steps that must be completed by election officials before they can certify final, official results.
Close elections can have major impacts, shaping how the country addresses issues ranging from affordable health care and domestic policy to foreign affairs and who leads law enforcement in communities across America. But, in many cases the outcome of an election is determined by a few dozen votes–less than the average attendance for a professional baseball game or concert.
The first step of this process is a recount, where ballots are inspected by hand or fed back through voting machines to determine whether there were any miscounts or other errors that may have affected the initial count. A recount can result in a change of the winner of a race, but sometimes the original results are certified as is.
Regardless of the final outcome, it is normal to feel strong emotions during and after an election. But, ruminating and complaining won’t help you feel better. Rather, try to find ways to stay engaged and continue expressing your values and interests. This will help you cope with any disappointment and anxiety that might arise from election results. Keeping informed about the process can also help you maintain a healthy perspective and prevent the polarization that is plaguing our society today.