Day: August 23, 2025

Many voters have questions about the process for counting and certifying election results. These articles help you understand the processes and factors that affect when results become final.

The Electoral College is the mechanism that determines the winner of the U.S. presidency based on the number of electoral votes received by each state. Almost all states edict that the winner of the statewide popular vote (‘one person, one vote’) shall receive all of that state’s electoral votes (“winner-takes-all”). A few states use a different method for assigning their electors: Nebraska and Maine award a portion of their electors based on districts. Historically, the winning candidate has usually won all states, but close elections can result in a tie.

In some states, election results are not final until the official canvass is complete. This can take days, sometimes weeks. During this time, election officials carefully examine each ballot to make sure that all votes have been counted correctly.

During this period, election officials might have to deal with requests for recounts. Recount rules vary from state to state, but in most cases the trailing candidate has the right to request a recount if the vote margin between the top two candidates is within a certain threshold. During a recount, ballots are examined by hand or fed back through voting machines to see if the first count was incorrect.

Election results reported on election night are never the final, certified results. That’s why it is important for election officials to communicate clearly to voters how they determine winners and when election results will be finalized.

An acquisition deal is an agreement where one company buys and takes control of another, absorbing all assets and liabilities. It is commonly financed by cash, stock, or a combination. The acquiring company can operate the acquired company as a subsidiary, or fully integrate it. In large deals, the acquisition can affect market competition. It may also require regulatory review, especially in competitive industries.

When a business is seeking to expand into new markets, an acquisition is often the best option for its future growth. However, acquisitions can be costly and should be made with a clear vision of the desired outcome. Failure to do so can lead to a waste of resources, financial loss, and disruption to existing operations.

During the acquisition process, a finance team plays a key role in ensuring that the deal runs as smoothly as possible. This includes assessing and analysing the financial documents to identify and resolve any potential issues that could derail the transaction. In addition, they are responsible for performing valuation analysis, forecasting outcomes and working out the financing for the deal. External advisors or investment bankers can help simplify the process by reducing the time and cost of completing it.

After initial discussions, the acquiring and selling companies usually sign a letter of intent or memorandum of understanding (also known as a term sheet). This document outlines the proposed key terms of the deal. It is not legally binding and can be amended before finalizing the definitive purchase and sale agreement. The parties then proceed to complete their due diligence investigations and negotiate the final purchase agreement.