NASS and NASED November 2024 Pre-Election Day Joint Statement

For Immediate Release
Nov. 4, 2024

Washington, D.C. — Tomorrow, November 5, millions of Americans will exercise their right to vote. The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) and the National Association of State Election Directors (NASED) issue the following joint statement in advance of Election Day:

“We are proud to represent state and territorial election officials in all 50 states, the District of Co­lumbia, and the five U.S. territories. Election officials make it possible for Americans to safely and securely participate in tomorrow’s general election. Planning for tomorrow’s election began four years ago, and the election community is prepared. Our members, along with their colleagues at the local level, have devoted extensive time, energy and resources to safeguard America’s elec­tions.

“As with any Election Day, it is important to note operational issues may arise: for example, voting locations could open late, there could be lines during busy periods, or an area could lose power. These are inevitable challenges that will arise on Election Day, but election officials have contin­gency plans for these and other scenarios. Americans can have confidence the election is secure, and the results will be counted accurately.

“Remember election night results are always unofficial. While the focus on election night is on who won and who lost, those races are called by the media, not election officials. In the days and weeks to come, election officials will count every eligible ballot, including ballots cast in-person on or before Election Day, mail ballots, provisional ballots, and ballots cast by military and overseas voters. Accurately counting millions of ballots takes time and it is important to be patient. Some races will be close and may require a recount or a recanvass. Many election officials will also con­duct audits to verify the accuracy of the results. We implore all Americans to understand these pro­cesses are normal and done in accordance with state and territorial law.

“There are thousands of state and local races on the ballot across the country, in addition to the presidential race. We encourage eligible voters who have not already cast their ballots to do so tomorrow.”

For information on voting, visit: NASS’s CanIVote.org or NASED’s www.nased.org/for-voters.

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NASS Media Contact:
Maria Benson, Senior Director of Communications
mbenson@nass.org | 202-624-3528 | www.nass.org 

NASED Media Contact:
Amy Cohen, Executive Director
acohen@nased.org | 240-801-6029 | www.nased.org