Ballots continue to be processed throughout the central state even one week after the election.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Mail ballots can be seen as a newer concept to the state of Pennsylvania that may come with adjustments.

Despite the fact that a week has passed since the election, the vote counting is still going on.

“It is so important in every election that every eligible ballot can be counted,” said Secretary of State Veronica Degraffenreid.

Degraffenreid says a large number of mail-in ballots can complicate matters. She says vote-by-mail ballots cannot be pre-counted, which means they must be counted on election morning and says counties need time to process them.

“I would say that provisional ballots also need to be investigated to determine if the voter is eligible or not and if counties determine they were eligible, those ballots should also be counted,” Degraffenreid said.

In Lancaster County, members of the board of elections say they have been very busy, especially with filing processing.

Degraffenreid says another reason several counties need more time is that many are also waiting for military and overseas ballots to arrive.

“And we absolutely need time for the counties to make sure they go through their careful and methodical reconciliation procedures to make sure they are confident in the outcome of the election,” Degraffenreid said.

Degraffenreid also says he understands how many people want to know the official results as soon as possible.

“But we fully understand that voters and candidates want to know the outcome of all races, certainly the two or those at the top of the ballot, but all of those races are very important,” Degraffenreid said.

Degraffenreid says that while the count continues and many want to know the result, patience at this point is key.