Members of the US Electoral College gathered in all 50 states on Tuesday, with Congress to count the electors’ votes on January 6
The Electoral College has confirmed Donald Trump as the winner of November's US presidential election, with the Republican beating his Democratic rival, outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris, by 312 to 226. Trump also won the popular vote in the November 5 vote, securing 77.2 million votes to Harris’ 75 million.
Unlike in most other democracies, Americans do not elect their president directly, but vote for Electoral College members, who are chosen in advance by the presidential candidates or their parties. In 48 states and the District of Columbia, all of these representatives are obliged to vote in accordance with the outcome of the popular vote in their state, regardless of their own party affiliation.
In Maine and Nebraska, the procedure is slightly different, and is largely based on the outcome of the popular vote within each congressional district.
Most states have laws in place that void the votes of electors who go against the popular vote.
The Electoral College convened in all 50 states on the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday of December, which fell on December 17 this year.
After the results have been signed and certified, they will be transferred to the incumbent vice president, acting as the president of the Senate. This must be done by December 25, 2024.
After the new Congress convenes, the lawmakers will count the Electoral College votes on January 6, with the vice president proclaiming the winner.
President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance will take the oath of office and be inaugurated at noon on January 20, 2025.
The total number of electors making up the Electoral College nationwide leveled off at 538 in 1964, and has remained the same since. To win a presidential election, a candidate must secure the backing of at least 270 electors. The number of each state’s electors is equal to the number of representatives they have in the House, plus two senators. With populations fluctuating, these numbers have been revised in some states over the years.