election returns
Poll outcome data
Election returns are the vote counts reported from an election, typically released progressively as ballots are tallied: The early returns showed a tight race.
Returns eventually become official results, but the term emphasizes the ongoing reporting process—watching returns come in on election night is a democratic ritual.
The phrase also appears in headlines and analyses: election returns by county.
- ballotsVoting forms
- votesFormal choices recorded
- vote countTotal of ballots recorded
- pollsOpinion surveys or voting sites
- tallyRecorded count
mail in ballots · counting · precinct · swing · swing state · landslide · red wave · blue wave · recount · incumbent · popular vote · projected · winner · concession · margins · turnout · absentee · exit
- political memorabiliacampaign buttons, campaign pins, campaign posters, political buttons, bumper stickers
election returnscampaign
Organized effort toward goal
election campaign · electioneering · campaign trail · voter registration · primary season
election returnspolling
Systematic opinion gathering
opinion polls · predictions · exit polls · projections · betting odds
election, returns, elect, return, elected, electing, elects, elector, electors