Question

In a general election, each state has officials who count and
votes.

Answer 1

Oh now i get it.
Well the answer should be in a general election, each state has officials who count and CERTIFY votes.

The officials have to make sure that the people who give their vote have the credibility and rights to voice their vote, to avoid any sort of Election fraud that may negatively effect one candidate.

Answer 2

The correct answer is:

Certify.

An Election Official is someone designated to control the voting process at a polling station, to guarantee voters follow state requirements, certify an election was carried legally, and provide the official vote count. The election officials have to verify that every ballot cast in the election was accurately counted. The certification process is the practice by which the results of an election are made official.