---
title: "Finalizing the Election"
slug: "finalizing-election"
description: "Pass the Election Checklist, complete Checkout with Single Election credits or an Annual Plan, and Finalize to move the election from Draft to Waiting."
updated: 2025-08-21T13:05:52Z
published: 2025-08-21T13:05:52Z
canonical: "help.simplyvoting.com/finalizing-election"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.simplyvoting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Finalizing the Election

Once you have completed your election review and customizing the **Voting Website**, navigate to the **Finalize** section to complete a final check.

You cannot **Finalize** your election until you pass all the final checks on the **Election Checklist**. If an action is required, you will see items you need to address. A common mistake is not using a future **Start Date** and **Start Time** or not casting a vote on the proof ballot.

![EM_pre_election_fix_finalize_no_preview](https://cdn.document360.io/a78bcdfe-0fc1-4248-a709-1fe58ecd1ca1/Images/Documentation/EM_pre_election_fix_finalize_no_preview.png)

Once the **Election Checklist** is complete, proceed to the **Checkout** and complete your purchase. If you have previously purchased any **Single Election credits** that are applicable, such credits may be **used for finalization**, and if you have a current **Annual Plan** that is applicable, it can be **used for finalization too**. If you expect to run multiple voting events but do not have an **Annual Plan**, please [contact support](/v1/docs/contacting-support) to learn more.

![EM_pre_election_finalize_checkout](https://cdn.document360.io/a78bcdfe-0fc1-4248-a709-1fe58ecd1ca1/Images/Documentation/EM_pre_election_finalize_checkout.png)

A green **Success Message** will appear once your election has been **Finalized**.

Once **Finalized,** your **Election’s Status** will change from **Draft** to **Waiting** and your election will begin and end automatically at the dates and times you specified earlier.

Edits After Finalization

Once an election is **Finalized**, users cannot edit or change the ballot to protect the election’s integrity.

If you find a mistake or need to alter the ballot after it has been finalized, and **no votes have been cast yet**, you may un-finalize it from the **Finalize** page by clicking the **Un-Finalize** button.

![image.png](https://cdn.document360.io/a78bcdfe-0fc1-4248-a709-1fe58ecd1ca1/Images/Documentation/image%2861%29.png)

If votes have already been cast and you need to make an important change, please [contact support](/v1/docs/contacting-support).

For more information about making changes to your ballot after finalizing, see [Can I make changes to an already finalized or active election?](/v1/docs/can-i-make-changes-to-an-already-finalized-or-active-election)