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ELECTION CERTIFICATION, ANSWERED

Have county officials refused to certify before?

County officials have refused or delayed certification in at least five instances since 2020.

The short answer

Yes, county officials have refused to certify election results. Since 2020, refusals or delays have occurred in Wayne County, Michigan, Otero County, New Mexico, Cochise County, Arizona, and Washoe County, Nevada. Courts have ordered certification in some cases, and in North Carolina, state officials removed two county board members who refused to certify.

BY THE NUMBERS
5
counties where officials refused or delayed certification since 2020

Wayne County, Michigan, 2020

The board of canvassers in Wayne County split two to two on November 17, 2020. The board voted unanimously to certify the same evening.

Otero County, New Mexico, 2022

Otero County refused to certify its 2022 primary. The New Mexico Supreme Court on June 15, 2022 ordered the commission to certify by June 17.

Cochise County, Arizona, 2022

Cochise County certified its 2022 general election on December 1, 2022. A Pima County Superior Court judge ordered it to do so that day.

Washoe County, Nevada, 2024

On July 9, 2024, three of the five Washoe County commissioners voted to reject certification of recount results in two June 2024 primary races.

Surry County, North Carolina, 2023

Two Surry County board members refused to certify the 2022 general election and a 2023 special election. The North Carolina State Board removed both members on March 28, 2023.

More on how votes are counted and made official.

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Frequently asked questions

Q. Have county officials ever refused to certify election results?

Yes. Refusals or delays occurred in Wayne County, Michigan in 2020, Otero and Cochise counties in 2022, and Washoe County, Nevada in 2024. Courts have ordered certification in some cases, and state officials have removed county board members who refused to certify.

Explore this issue

OverviewHow votes are counted and made official In depthDoes the House have to accept a state's certified winner? In depthCould disputed races keep either party from a majority? In depthCan the House refuse to seat a winner from the other party? In depthDoes Congress certify House election results? In depthCan the Supreme Court's 2000 recount ruling stop a recount in a House race? In depthDoes a state recount get in the way of the House's own decision? In depthDo the presidential election deadlines apply to House races? In depthCan a state legislature overturn a House election? In depthCan a secretary of state refuse to certify a House race? In depthDoes a recount or a challenge stop certification? In depthDo county boards get to decide whether to certify? In depthCan officials be punished for refusing to certify?

Sources

  1. NC State Board of Elections, State Board Removes 2 Surry County Board of Elections Members, https://www.ncsbe.gov/news/press-releases/2023/03/28/state-board-removes-2-surry-county-board-elections-members · 2023-03-28