FACT CHECK: Does the FEC Count Ballots or Certify Election Winners? No.

The claim

A recurring claim says the Federal Election Commission runs federal elections, counts the ballots and declares the winners because it is the national agency with 'election' in its name.

The FEC states the opposite

The FEC says it administers federal campaign-finance law and has no jurisdiction over voting laws, voter fraud or intimidation, election results or the Electoral College. Its records track money and political committees, not precinct returns.

States and localities administer elections. Their designated officials conduct the canvass and certification according to state law.

Verdict: False

The FEC does not count ballots or certify winners. A filing on FEC.gov can establish campaign-finance activity, but it cannot establish how many votes a candidate received.

Official result questions belong with state and local election offices; federal voting-rights or crime complaints may involve the Justice Department under separate authority.