Saturday’s election verdict is not the last step in selecting an American president. Under a system that has been modified for two centuries, there is still a timeline of months during which the 538-member Electoral College elects the president.
A look at the key steps:
– When American citizens vote for a presidential candidate, they are actually voting for electors in their state. In most cases, those voters are committed to supporting the candidate chosen by the voters. The number of voters is equal to the number of electoral votes in each state. State laws vary as to how voters are selected, but generally a list of voters is chosen for each party’s candidate at state party conventions or by a vote of a party’s central committee.
– After Election Day, the states count and certify the results of the popular vote. Once completed, each governor is required by law to prepare “as soon as possible” documents known as “Verification Certificates” of the vote. The certificates list the names of the voters and the number of votes cast for the winner and loser. The certificate, which bears the seal of each state, is sent to the archivist in the United States.
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– December 8 is the deadline for resolving electoral disputes at the state level. All state recount and court challenges to presidential election results must be completed by this date.
– Dec. 14: Voters vote on paper in their respective states and the District of Columbia. Thirty-three states and DC have party laws or regulations that require voters to vote in the same way as the popular vote in the state, and in some states, voters may even be replaced or subject to penalties, according to the Service of Congressional investigation. Votes for president and vice president are counted and voters sign six “Certificates of Vote.” The certificates, along with other official documents, are sent by certified mail to various officials, including the President of the Senate.
– December 23: Certificates must be delivered to designated officials. If they are not delivered, the law offers alternative avenues to get the results to Washington.
– January 6, 2021: The House and Senate hold a joint session to count the electoral votes. If a ballot has received 270 or more electoral votes, the President of the Senate, currently Vice President Mike Pence, announces the results.
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Members of Congress can object to statements from any state as announced. Objections must be made in writing by at least one member of the House and one in the Senate. If the objection meets certain requirements, each chamber meets separately to discuss the objection for a maximum of two hours. Subsequently, each chamber votes to accept or reject the objection. Again in joint session, the results of the respective votes are announced. Any objection to a state’s electoral vote must be approved by both houses in order for the challenged votes to be excluded.
If none of the presidential candidates gets at least 270 electoral votes, the House decides the election, based on the 12th Amendment to the Constitution. If necessary, the House would elect the president by majority vote.
– January 20: The president-elect takes office on the day of the inauguration.
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