Local and state canvassing boards are the first formal checkpoints in the certification process, responsible for reviewing returns, resolving discrepancies, and either certifying or refusing to certify results. These boards—variously titled county boards of canvassers, county canvassing boards, or state boards of canvassers—are statutorily charged with scrutinizing underlying records, not merely rubber‑stamping reported totals.

This subsection examines key findings related to canvassing boards, including documented instances where canvassers raised concerns about unexplained discrepancies or legal violations, faced intense political and social pressure to reverse or withdraw objections, or certified results despite acknowledged documentation gaps. Particular attention is given to how these dynamics in battleground counties and states affected the integrity and independence of the initial certification decisions.