Election Day turned into election weeks. Although voting is over, the 2020 Presidential Election is not. On Saturday, November 7, the Associated Press declared Joe Biden the victor over President Donald Trump with more than the 270 electoral votes needed to win. President Trump is refusing to concede and has filed legal challenges disputing the results of the election. Biden and his Vice President Kamala Harris are scheduled to be inaugurated on January 20, 2021. Harris is the first woman to be vice president.
Biden received more than 75 million votes, the most ever for a presidential candidate, beating Barack Obama’s record of 69.5 million votes in 2008.
On a local note, Clarke County stepped up to the plate this election with a huge voter turnout. Almost 71% (8327 and counting) of Clarke County’s registered voters (11,743) voted in this election, whether by absentee or at the poll.
According to Circuit Clerk Sally Wedgeworth, this has been the biggest absentee voting turnout in her 17 years working in the courthouse.
“We had over 1200 absentee votes,” stated Wedgeworth. “That is over 500 more than normal. We always know if the absentee numbers are high, we will have a good turnout at the polls. People always come out for the Presidential elections. We always have a larger turnout for president than any other election. More people were interested in this election than they have in a few years.”
Voter numbers in other Presidential election years: 2016 – 7722 votes; 2012 – 8160 votes; 2008 – 8350.
2020 Poll votes – 7054
Absentees – 1237
Affidavits – 75 (not yet counted in the totals)
Unofficial Clarke County votes
President
Biden – 2815
Trump – 5372
Senate
Espy – 3031
Hyde-Smith – 5124
3rd Congressional Dist.
Benford – 2027
Guest – 4993
Medical Marijuana
For Approval – 4446
Against Both – 3092
For Initiative 65 – 4220
For Alternative 65A – 1828
House Resolution No. 47
Yes – 6033
No – 1820
House Bill 1796 – Flag Referendum
Yes – 5132
No – 3045
What happens next?
From The Associated Press
Saturday’s election verdict isn’t the last step in selecting an American president. Under a system that’s been tweaked over two centuries, there is still a weekslong timeline during which the 538-member Electoral College picks the president.
A look at the key steps:
— When American citizens vote for a presidential candidate, they really are voting for electors in their state. Those electors in most cases are committed to support the voters’ candidate of choice. The number of electors is equal to the number of electoral votes held by each state. State laws vary on how electors are selected but, generally, a slate of electors for each party’s candidate is chosen at state party conventions or by a vote of a party’s central committee. Mississippi has six electors.
— After Election Day, states count and certify the results of the popular vote. When completed, each governor is required by law to prepare “as soon as practicable” documents known as “Certificates of Ascertainment” of the vote. The certificates list the electors’ names and the number of votes cast for the winner and loser. The certificate, carrying the seal of each state, is sent to the archivist of the United States.
— Dec. 8 is the deadline for resolving election disputes at the state level. All state recounts and court contests over presidential election results are to be completed by this date.
— Dec. 14: Electors vote by paper ballot in their respective states and the District of Columbia. Thirty-three states and D.C. have laws or party regulations requiring electors to vote the same way the popular vote goes in the state, and in some states, electors can even be replaced or subjected to penalties, according to the Congressional Research Service. The votes for president and vice president are counted and the electors sign six “Certificates of the Vote.” The certificates, along with other official papers, are sent by registered mail to various officials, including the president of the Senate.
— Dec. 23: The certificates must be delivered to the designated officials. If they are not delivered, the law provides alternative avenues for getting the results to Washington.
— Jan. 6, 2021: The House and Senate hold a joint session to count the electoral votes. If one ticket has received 270 or more electoral votes, the president of the Senate, currently Vice President Mike Pence, announces the results.
Members of Congress may object to returns from any state as they are 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 debate the objection for a maximum of two hours. Afterward, each chamber votes to accept or reject the objection. Back in joint session, the results of the respective votes are announced. Any objection to a state’s electoral vote has to be approved by both houses in order for any contested votes to be excluded.
If neither presidential candidate wins at least 270 electoral votes, the House decides the election, based on the 12th Amendment to the Constitution. If required, the House would elect the president. Each state delegation has one vote and it takes 26 votes to win.
— Jan. 20: The president-elect is sworn into office on Inauguration Day.
