Who certifies the election in New York, and by when?
The State Board of Elections certifies statewide and federal races no later than December 15, after county boards transmit their results by November 28.
The State Board of Elections certifies election results for state and federal races no later than December 15. County boards of elections canvass their local results first and must transmit certified copies to the State Board within 25 days after the election, by November 28.
Who certifies at the county level
The county board of elections serves as the county board of canvassers. Each county board canvasses the results from its election districts and sends them to the State Board of Elections. County boards must finish the canvass and transmit results within 25 days after the election, by November 28, 2026.
Who certifies at the state level
The State Board of Elections, sitting as the State Board of Canvassers, receives the county results, canvasses the statewide results and certifies them. The Board must meet to canvass and certify election results for state and federal elections no later than December 15. The Board must complete the canvass within 5 days.
What happens if a county misses the deadline
If the State Board has not received a county's certified copy by the 25th day, it dispatches a special messenger to obtain it, and the county board must deliver a copy to the messenger immediately on demand.
Ballots counted after Election Day
Mailed ballots postmarked by Election Day count if received by Tuesday November 10, 2026. County boards canvass the returns from their county and must transmit a certified copy of the canvassing board statement to the State Board within 25 days of the general election.
Contesting the results
New York has no requested recount laws, but any voter may contest a county or state canvass in court. A contest must be started within 30 days after the election, by December 3, 2026.
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How votes are countedFrequently asked questions
Q. Who certifies a U.S. House race in New York, and by when?
The State Board of Canvassers must meet to certify the general election by December 15, 2026. County boards of elections certify and transmit their canvass first, by November 28, 2026. An absentee ballot is counted if it is postmarked or dated on or before election day and received no later than seven days after the election, by November 10, 2026.
Q. What happens to mailed ballots that arrive after Election Day?
A mailed absentee ballot counts if it is postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days after the election. Ballots received later than seven days are not counted. The county boards then send certified copies of their results to the state within the 25-day window, and the State Board of Canvassers certifies the statewide result.
Q. How long does a voter have to contest an election result?
A contest must be started within 30 days after the election, by December 3, 2026. New York has no requested recount laws, but any voter may contest a county or state canvass in court.
Sources
- US Vote Foundation, New York Election Dates and Deadlines, https://www.usvotefoundation.org/new-york-election-dates-and-deadlines
- NCSL, Canvass Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/canvass-deadlines
- nass.org, https://www.nass.org/node/2455
- NCSL, Election Certification Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/election-certification-deadlines
- NCSL, Contested Election Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/contested-election-deadlines
- Bolts, Who counts our elections, https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/who-counts-our-elections/
- New York State Board of Elections, 2026 Political Calendar, https://elections.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2025/12/2026-political-calendar-quad-fold-12.9.2025-final.pdf · 2025-12-09