U.S. Election Fact: Philadelphia commissioner thinks votes will be counted faster this election than in 2020

Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein says he believes votes will be counted faster in the 2024 election cycle than in 2020. We began pre-counting mail-in ballots as soon as the polls opened at 7 a.m. this morning, and we will be counting ballots much faster than we did in 2020,’ Bluestein said. Many people have already voted in person at the polls, so there will be fewer mail-in ballots to count this year than in 2020. Additionally, Philadelphia has purchased additional equipment this year to help open envelopes faster and has more staff than in the past.’ Note: In the 2020 election, the Associated Press announces the winner four days after Election Day at 11:26 a.m. (EST).