What’s the next step to make it official?

WASHINGTON (AP) – This year’s election was not the final step in selecting Joe Biden as the next US president. In a system that has been tweaked for two centuries, there is still a week left in which the 538-member Electoral College formally selects the president.

An overview of the key steps:

– When American citizens voted for Biden or President Donald Trump, they were truly voting for their state voters. In most cases, these voters pledge to support the winning candidate in the state. The number of voters is equal to the number of electoral votes held by each state. State laws vary on how voters are selected, but generally a voters list for each party’s candidate is chosen by heads of state.

– States always count and certify the results of the popular vote. When the count is complete, each governor is required by law to prepare documents called “verification certificates” of the vote “as soon as possible”. The certificates list the names of voters and the number of votes cast for winner and loser. The certificates, bearing the seal of each state, are sent to the United States Archivist.

– December 8 is the deadline for resolving electoral disputes at the state level. All state recounts and legal challenges to presidential election results must be completed by that date. Trump’s campaign is challenging the vote count in several states through court challenges, but none of those efforts are expected to change the outcome.

– December 14: Voters vote by paper ballot in their respective states and in the District of Columbia. Thirty-three states and DC have party laws or regulations requiring voters to vote in the same manner as the popular vote in the state. In some states, dishonest voters may be replaced or subject to sanctions, according to the Congressional Research Service. The votes for the president and vice-president are counted and voters sign six “voting certificates”. Certificates, along with other official documents, are sent by registered mail to various officials, including the President of the Senate.

– December 23: Certificates must be returned to designated officials. If they are not delivered, the law provides for alternative routes to get the results in Washington.

– January 6: The Chamber and the Senate hold a joint session to count the electoral votes. If a ticket garners at least 270 electoral votes, the Speaker of the Senate, currently Vice President Mike Pence, announces the results. With the verdict in some states yet to come, Biden has already won enough states to secure over 270 electoral votes.

Members of Congress can object to returns from any state as they are announced. Objections must be presented in writing by at least one member of the House and one member of the Senate. If the objection meets certain requirements, each chamber meets separately to discuss the objection for a maximum of two hours. Then 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 must be approved by both chambers for any contested vote to be ruled out.

If none of the presidential candidates obtains at least 270 electoral votes, the House will decide on the election, based on the 12th Amendment to the Constitution. If necessary, the House would elect the president. Each state delegation has one vote and 26 votes are needed to win.

– January 20: Biden is sworn in on the day of the inauguration.