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The process of totaling votes cast in an election. This process can also be referred to as counting or tallying.

Ballot Tabulation in the States: State “tabulation” processes vary by state and local jurisdiction depending on type of ballot cast (e.g., in-person paper ballot, absentee/mail-in ballot, provisional ballot). In states such as North Dakota (NDCC, 16.1-07-12) and Oklahoma (26 Okl. St. Ann. § 14-123) tabulation of absentee/mail-in ballots can begin prior to Election Day. In other states such as Pennsylvania, tabulation of absentee ballots can begin at 7 a.m. on Election Day, while in Wisconsin (W.S.A. 6.88) they cannot be counted until after polls close.

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