Certification
Definition
Certification is the official act of confirming that canvassed vote totals are final and accurate, making the results legally official. It is normally a ministerial, non-discretionary duty performed by a local or state board on a set deadline.1
Why it matters
Certification is meant to be a formality, not a chance to relitigate an election. When a board member treats the vote as discretionary and withholds a signature, that single procedural step can be weaponized to manufacture doubt or delay a legally required outcome.
Seen in the wild
Fulton County, Georgia board member Julie Adams refused to certify the county's May 2024 primary results, citing unspecified "discrepancies." A Georgia judge ruled on October 14, 2024 that certification is mandatory and no board member may refuse or abstain, a ruling a state appeals court upheld on July 2, 2025.2