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WHO OFFICIALLY DECLARES United States (U.S) PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS? 
A thread.....
With the rising uncertainty pertaining to who the “actual” winner of the U.S election 2020 is, I tried to summarize the entire US electoral process- as cumbersome as it might be.
A thread.....
With the rising uncertainty pertaining to who the “actual” winner of the U.S election 2020 is, I tried to summarize the entire US electoral process- as cumbersome as it might be.
Sit back, grab some popcorn and let’s enjoy this brief journey together 
To begin, we must know, that all general elections take place on the 1st Tuesday of November of every election year; the Electoral College cast its votes in December of the same year....
To begin, we must know, that all general elections take place on the 1st Tuesday of November of every election year; the Electoral College cast its votes in December of the same year....
and the OFFICIAL declaration happens in January the next year at Congress.
1. Unlike many electoral jurisdictions, the US does not have an Independent Electoral Commission to certify federal elections. Presidential elections are hence conducted state by state
1. Unlike many electoral jurisdictions, the US does not have an Independent Electoral Commission to certify federal elections. Presidential elections are hence conducted state by state
(all 50 of them + the District of Columbia)
2. Again, in an unusual deviation from global democracies, the US President is not chosen by direct popular votes, rather through an electoral college- a group of 538 electors, with a simple majority (270) winning the White House.
2. Again, in an unusual deviation from global democracies, the US President is not chosen by direct popular votes, rather through an electoral college- a group of 538 electors, with a simple majority (270) winning the White House.
These electors are assigned according to the population size and districts of a state; eg. California has 55 electors, while smaller states like Wyoming has 3.
3. After Election Day, when there’s been a final tally of all ballots (cast in person, mail-in, provisional),
3. After Election Day, when there’s been a final tally of all ballots (cast in person, mail-in, provisional),
governors of all 51 states (including DC), prepare their state’s CERTIFICATE OF ASCERTAINMENT (CoA).
Now, in simple terms, the CoA is an official document that provide the list of electors who won in the state and thus, will represent the state in the electoral college.
Now, in simple terms, the CoA is an official document that provide the list of electors who won in the state and thus, will represent the state in the electoral college.
That is, it serves as a linkage to the votes you will cast on Election Day and votes that will be cast by electors in December on your behalf.
4. As indicated, following the elections, the electoral college meets in December to cast the vote for the next President and VEEP.
4. As indicated, following the elections, the electoral college meets in December to cast the vote for the next President and VEEP.
These votes are recorded on a CERTIFICATE OF VOTE (CoV)- which is then mailed to the President of the Senate, who, by law, is the Incumbent Vice President.
5. JOINT CONGRESS MEETING
The final piece of this bureaucratic process, is the joint session of Congress in January...
5. JOINT CONGRESS MEETING
The final piece of this bureaucratic process, is the joint session of Congress in January...
where the electoral votes are filed.
Each state is called upon, alphabetically, to officially declare their electoral votes.
This process, in recent times is deemed a ceremonial obligation, because by January, the media has declared a winner and usually, a concession speech..
Each state is called upon, alphabetically, to officially declare their electoral votes.
This process, in recent times is deemed a ceremonial obligation, because by January, the media has declared a winner and usually, a concession speech..
has been given.
But OFFICIALLY, this is the MANDATED INSTITUTION (congress) to DECLARE WHO THE NEXT U.S PRESIDENT AND VEEP are.
As the votes are being filed, any objections can be raised on the basis that, the objection is in writing and signed by a member of the House (of Reps)
But OFFICIALLY, this is the MANDATED INSTITUTION (congress) to DECLARE WHO THE NEXT U.S PRESIDENT AND VEEP are.
As the votes are being filed, any objections can be raised on the basis that, the objection is in writing and signed by a member of the House (of Reps)
as well as a member of the Senate.
i.e. Changes can be made to the CoV upon thorough objections and examinations, though it rarely to never happens.
This is an excerpt of the joint Congress session in 2016, presided by then VeeP, Joe Biden
i.e. Changes can be made to the CoV upon thorough objections and examinations, though it rarely to never happens.
This is an excerpt of the joint Congress session in 2016, presided by then VeeP, Joe Biden
Barring any such objections, the VEEP (President of the Senate) announces the final results and OFFICIALLY declares who the next President is.
/end of thread
/end of thread
