How Congress Will Certify Donald Trump’s Win on January 6/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Congress will meet on Jan. 6 to certify Donald Trump’s Electoral College victory in the 2024 presidential election. Vice President Kamala Harris, fulfilling her constitutional role, will preside over the session, officially confirming her loss and Trump’s return to the White House.
Electoral College Certification: Quick Looks
- Scheduled Date: Congress convenes on Jan. 6 to certify the Electoral College results.
- Trump’s Victory: Trump defeated Harris with a decisive 312-226 Electoral College win.
- Harris Presides: As vice president, Harris will oversee the certification, mirroring Mike Pence’s role in 2021.
- Tighter Rules: The revised Electoral Count Act clarifies the vice president’s ceremonial role.
- Objection Process: Objections now require written support from one-fifth of each chamber to be considered.
How Congress Will Certify Donald Trump’s Win on January 6
Deep Look
On Monday, Congress will convene to fulfill its constitutional duty of certifying the Electoral College results, marking the final step in Donald Trump’s return to the presidency. The session, set to take place on the symbolic date of Jan. 6, contrasts sharply with the violent interruption of the process four years ago.
What Happens During Certification?
The joint session of Congress is a ceremonial but crucial step in affirming the presidential election results. Under federal law, sealed certificates from each state containing Electoral College votes are opened and read aloud by bipartisan representatives.
The vice president, acting as president of the Senate, presides over the session. This year, Kamala Harris will announce the results, officially confirming her loss to Trump, much like Mike Pence did in 2021.
Key Steps:
- Certificates are read in alphabetical order by state.
- Votes are recorded, counted, and announced.
- The presiding officer declares the winner.
Trump’s Decisive Win
Trump’s 312-226 victory in the Electoral College ensures there will be no tie, which would have required the House to determine the presidency.
Changes Since 2021
The chaotic events of Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob attempted to overturn Trump’s defeat, led to significant reforms in the certification process. The Electoral Count Act of 2022 now explicitly defines the vice president’s role as ceremonial, preventing them from influencing the outcome.
The law also raises the threshold for objections. Previously, a single member from each chamber could object; now, objections require written support from one-fifth of both the House and Senate.
How Objections Work
If an objection reaches the required threshold, the joint session suspends, and the House and Senate separately debate the challenge. For the objection to succeed, both chambers must agree by a majority vote.
Such objections are rare. The last significant challenge occurred in 2005, when Democrats raised concerns about Ohio’s votes. Both chambers rejected the objection.
What’s Next?
Once Congress certifies the results, the president-elect will be inaugurated on Jan. 20. This session represents the final official opportunity for objections outside of court challenges.
Vice President Harris has conceded the election and will preside over the certification without dispute, setting the stage for Trump’s second term.
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