October 29, 2024
Ballot Counts and Election Results Communications Toolkit
Download the toolkit:
Election officials know why it can take time to count votes, but the public may not. Research shows that early communication about how counting ballots accurately takes time and all the security measures in place take is key to to voter trust. Brief communications from election officials can help maintain trust when election results are delayed — or perceived to be delayed. We developed the following resources to help keep you in communication with voters, candidates and the media about ballot counts and election results. The templates are easy to download and adjust to fit your jurisdiction’s requirements, rules and deadlines.
Take a quick look at all of the resources before you need them, so you know what’s available for different ballot counting and results scenarios. Our team is here to assist with edits and offer guidance if you need it. Just send us a note.
Daily Ballot Count and Status Infographic Template
With this easy-to-use template, anyone can create an engaging infographic showing their ballot counts and statuses. Use it as a handout to communicate with the press or keep observers in the loop. Use it online to keep the public informed. All text is editable so you can ensure the content fits your jurisdiction’s practices, rules and data. This one-pager features the same information as the Ballot Count and Ballot Status Update slides with Excel-generated charts. The infographic may be a quicker data visualization option for less experienced Excel users.
Ballot and Results Social Media Templates
Use these templates to help explain mail ballots, deadlines, tabulation and unofficial election night results. Adjust the text to fit your jurisdiction’s rules, dates and policies, and add your website URL for voters who want more information. The first slide has detailed instructions for saving each slide as an image.
Ballots and Counts Before, After and On Election Day—Example Talking Points
This template includes tips and general statements, plus talking points you can customize to fit your jurisdiction’s deadlines, processes and requirements. This template covers a lot of ballot territory. It’s organized in two sections: before and on Election Day and after Election Day. Categories include: general information, important dates and times, tabulation process (by ballot type), slow results, changing results, unofficial v. official results, canvass, certification and post-election audit.
Ballot Count and Ballot Status Update Slides Template
Add your ballot data to the template and use the slides as a backdrop for media appearances or to provide updates in your community. Save the slides as images using the instructions, and post them on social media or your website. Use the tables on the Ballots Received & Ballot Status Spreadsheet to create charts displaying your ballot data, and then follow the instructions to add them to your slides.
Ballots Received & Ballot Status Spreadsheet
There are two tables with example data and two charts displaying that data. Update the tables with your jurisdiction’s ballot data – for ballots received by type and ballot status – and the charts will automatically update. There are instructions for adjusting the labels, colors and sizes of the charts. There are also instructions for saving them as pictures and adding them to the Ballot Count and Ballot Status Update Slides.
Daily Ballot Count and Status Press Release Template
This is a press release template designed for daily updates on ballots received and ballot statuses. By updating a small amount of text, you can keep voters and the media up to date on topics such as, how many mail ballots have been received and how many total ballots have been tabulated. Adjust the text to fit your jurisdiction’s practices, rules and data, and then distribute your press release on your letterhead.
