How to Create an Election Results Map

An election results map turns raw vote counts into a story everyone can read at a glance. Color-coded regions show who won where, and clean styling keeps the focus on the result rather than the cartography.

This guide walks through how to create an election results map for articles, reports, or presentations — without needing specialist GIS tools — using World in Dots.

What Makes a Good Election Map

The best election maps are clear and honest:

Distinct colors — each party or outcome is instantly recognizable
Clean regions — borders that match the units being reported (countries, states, districts)
No clutter — the result should be obvious without a dense legend
Scalable — sharp on a phone screen and on a printed page

A dotted or minimalist style helps avoid the "big empty area looks like a landslide" problem that plagues many maps.

Generate vector dotted maps

Create vector dotted maps with custom options and download them as SVG or PNG files

Choropleth vs Dot Style for Elections

Choropleth (shaded regions) — classic for "who won this state," but large rural areas can visually overpower dense urban ones
Dot style — each dot can represent a block of votes, giving a fairer sense of how many people voted each way

Choose based on your message: outcome by region, or weight of votes.

How to Build an Election Results Map

Step 1: Pick Your Geography

Select a country and the level you're reporting — national, state, or regional.

Step 2: Color-Code the Results

Assign a clear color to each party or outcome
Use consistent shades so readers can compare regions
Keep neutral/no-data areas visually distinct

Step 3: Export for Publishing

Download as an SVG for crisp web embedding or a high-resolution image for print and slides.

Election results map example

Where Election Maps Are Used

Journalism — explaining results to readers
Reports & analysis — summarizing outcomes for stakeholders
Education — teaching civics and electoral systems
Presentations — a clear visual for any audience

Generate vector dotted maps

Create vector dotted maps with custom options and download them as SVG or PNG files

Final Thoughts

A well-made election results map communicates an outcome faster than any table of numbers. With World in Dots, you can build a clean, color-coded map in minutes and export it for any format.

Try World in Dots today and turn your election data into a map people understand instantly.

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