Counting agent

In the United Kingdom there is no legal requirement to appoint a counting agent.

[2][3] At elections in the Republic of Ireland, counting agents are called tallymen; they keep track not only of first-preference votes but also of transfers.

Counting agents are appointed after the period when nominations to the election are made.

The election timetable will state when counting agents have to be appointed, typically a week before polling day.

[5] In the United States, absentee ballots are usually counted at a central location, not the polling place.