Short answer: In New York City, unofficial election-night results are reported starting shortly after polls close at 9:00 p.m. ET, but the official, certified counts are completed after the canvass period, which can take several days as late-arriving valid mail ballots and affidavit ballots are processed. Details
- What counts on election night
- Polls in NYC close at 9 p.m. ET. Unofficial results typically appear within minutes to a few hours after closing, based on in-person votes and early tallies. These early numbers are for guidance and do not represent final results.
- What can cause movement after 9 p.m.
- The official canvass begins the morning after Election Day and continues daily until completion. During canvass, additional ballots are reviewed and counted, including early voting records, absentee and early-mail ballots, and affidavit ballots. This can cause margins to shift after election night.
- How ranked-choice voting (RCV) affects reporting
- NYC’s mayoral election uses ranked-choice voting for certain elections. First-round results are reported on or after election night, but elimination rounds and final tallies occur as mail ballots and cure deadlines are processed, which can extend the period before final results are known. Preliminary rounds may be released weekly until certification.
- Certification
- Final certification happens after all ballots, including mail, affidavit, and any cures, have been counted and the canvass is complete. This process can take several days to weeks depending on ballot volume and any eligibility issues.
- Newsroom timelines vary
- Media outlets may project a winner on election night if data are decisive, but in close races, projections wait for larger batches of ballots. Official certification remains the authoritative result.
If you’d like, I can tailor this to the specific NYC mayoral election you’re asking about (e.g., identify when the canvass is expected to conclude, typical certification timelines for that year, and when to expect official results).
