The United States is in the midst of a pivotal presidential election as citizens prepare to choose between Democratic candidate and current Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump. Voting takes place on November 5 (U.S. time), kicking off a complex, months-long election process that will culminate with the inauguration of the 47th President of the United States in January.
This extended election timeline includes critical steps, from voting and ballot counting to the formal Electoral College process and Congress’s role in finalizing the results.
November 5 – Election Day: The Start of Voting
On November 5, American citizens head to the polls to cast their ballots for president. However, unlike in many other democracies, this popular vote doesn’t directly determine the next president. Instead, it signals each state’s selection of electors in the Electoral College, who will ultimately decide the presidency. The Electoral College system can be intricate, but it aims to balance representation across states with varying populations.
November 6 to December 11 – Ballot Counting and Certification
Following Election Day, the focus shifts to counting ballots and certifying the results. Given the volume of mail-in and early voting ballots, this can be a lengthy process. Each state has its own procedures and timelines for verifying and counting votes, which often includes multiple stages of review.
Results at both county and state levels must be certified by December 11. This process ensures that all votes are accurately counted and confirmed, offering both transparency and accountability.
December 17 – The Electoral College Votes
One of the most unique features of the U.S. election system is that American citizens do not directly elect the president. Instead, they vote for electors who represent each state in the Electoral College. On December 17, these electors will gather in each state to formally cast their votes for president and vice president.
These Electoral College votes are then documented in certificates, which must be sent to the president of the U.S. Senate by the fourth Wednesday in December. This year, that deadline falls on Christmas, adding a significant milestone to the holiday season.
January 3 – New Congress Members Sworn In
As the new year begins, newly elected members of Congress, both representatives and senators, take their oaths of office on January 3. At this point, Congress will also receive the certified Electoral College vote certificates. The House of Representatives and the Senate will later review these documents as part of the vote-counting process.
January 6 – Congress Confirms the Electoral College Votes
On January 6, Congress holds a special joint session to count the Electoral College votes and confirm the election results. For a candidate to win, they must secure a majority of 270 electoral votes. This session officially reveals the next president and vice president, with Congress’s role here marking the last step in the election’s verification.
If neither candidate reaches 270 electoral votes, a rare but constitutionally provided process known as a “contingent election” takes place. This would require the House of Representatives to choose the president and the Senate to select the vice president, further extending the process.
January 20 – Inauguration Day: The New Term Begins
The final step in the election process is the inauguration, which takes place on January 20 at noon (Washington, D.C. time). The candidate who won the Electoral College and was confirmed by Congress will take the presidential oath, marking the official beginning of a four-year term. The new vice president is also sworn in on this day, signifying the transition to the new administration.
