Sacramento County is tallying votes for the 2022 General Election. What we’ll know Nov. 8

Sacramento County started tallying votes for the 2022 General Election on Thursday, and it’ll take awhile before the final results are in.

The county received more than 90,000 ballots via mail and drop boxes, said Janna Haynes, the county’s public information officer. It will continue tabulating votes every day through Election Day on Nov. 8.

The statewide election is contesting seats for governor, secretary of state and attorney general, as well as local positions, such as house representatives and county supervisor.

What will we know on Election night?

The first release of results will be shared at about 8:15 p.m., Election Day, Haynes said. But these will reflect early voting and not include in-person ballots received on the day of the election.

Updates on the results will be released two more times that night — at 10 p.m. and midnight. These votes, Haynes said, will include in-person ballots from Election Day.

But the final results for the 2022 General Election might not be official until later.

“We will tabulate for probably a couple weeks after (Election Day), depending on how many drop box and mail-in ballots come in on Election Day and in the days to follow from the mail that people dropped in on Election Day,” Haynes said.

Results must be certified 29 days after Election Day, which is when the election is considered finalized.

What’s county voter turnout so far?

There are about 864,000 registered voters in Sacramento County and about 92,000 ballots have been collected.

Comparing this election to the 2018 General Election, Haynes said, the county’s voter turnout 12 days before Election Day is similar. But there are more registered voters.

“Percentage wise, it’s technically a lower turnout at this point, but since 2018, we’ve certainly seen more voters choose to vote later, rather than earlier,” she said, adding that she expects more ballots to come in closer to Election Day.

Where can I see the results of the election?

The county will update election results online.

On Election night, individuals can check how many ballots were counted. Haynes said the county will post updated results every Friday and Tuesday until certification of the votes.