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Trump wins election, Pennsylvania voters must now vote

Umito November 6, 2024

The presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is over, with Trump declared the winner at 5:30 a.m. this morning.

Trump had claimed victory three hours earlier at a campaign rally in Florida, shortly after the Pennsylvania race was called in his favor.

However, official certification of Pennsylvania’s Electoral College vote is still a few weeks away.

Here’s everything you need to know about when Pennsylvania voters will submit their ballots.

When does the Electoral College vote?

According to the Pennsylvania Department of State’s 2024 election calendar, Pennsylvania voters will submit their votes once all mail-in and mail-in ballots have been counted. This process must be completed by Tuesday, November 19.

Afterward, state election officials will allow time to resolve any election challenges or recounts that may arise.

The official submission of Pennsylvania’s electoral votes is scheduled for Tuesday, December 17 at noon. That’s when voters will gather at the state Capitol in Harrisburg and cast their ballots, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State.

The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration explains that voters record their vote on six voting certificates, which accompany six verification certificates.

“Voters then sign, seal, and certify six sets of electoral votes,” notes the National Archives process guide. “Each set includes a verification certificate and a voting certificate.”

What is the Electoral College?

The Electoral College is the system established by the Constitution for electing the President. The Founding Fathers created it as a compromise between a direct popular vote and a congressional vote.

There are 538 electoral votes in total, distributed among the 50 states and Washington, D.C., based on each state’s representation in Congress. A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win.

Pennsylvania has 19 electoral votes.

Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist covering news stories in the Mid-Atlantic region.