The Process

This post will be short but sweet. So many people want this election cycle to be over (myself included). But I maintain that we just need to go through the process. Having only a vague idea as to the process set out in the Constitution, I decided to investigate and share my findings.

The Presidential election process is still underway. We have gone through the primary process and have cast our votes in the general election. Currently Joe Biden has a projected 306 Electoral votes (assuming his 25k lead in Georgia holds). The results of the election are scheduled to be certified by the states. This gives the candidates time to contest election results, which is what is happening in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia.

The certification deadlines for the results are as follows along with the current margins:

• PA: Biden currently holds a roughly 63k lead with a certification deadline of November 23rd. (20 Electoral Votes)
• MI: Biden currently holds a roughly 148k lead with a certification deadline of November 23rd. (10 Electoral Votes)
• NV: Biden currently holds a roughly 35k lead with a certification deadline of December 1st. (6 Electoral Votes)
• AZ: Biden currently holds a roughly 11k lead with a certification deadline of November 30th. (11 Electoral Votes)
• GA: Biden currently holds a roughly 14k lead with a certification deadline of November 20th. (16 Electoral Votes)

This election is close. While it doesn’t appear to be in the national results, it still is a closely contested election. This is why the process is particularly important, and why the legal challenges must be evaluated and ruled on accordingly. There are currently 63 Electoral votes being contested, which would make the difference in this election. This is why the process needs to go through, and the election results need to be certified.

I have little doubt that the election results won’t change from their current outcomes, and if they do, it won’t be by much (a few hundred to a few thousand votes). Arizona is moot, Georgia is over a relatively small number (the Financial Times site I’m using says 54), Nevada is dismissing the motion for relief on the basis that the plaintiffs didn’t show sufficient evidence or evidentiary basis, the Michigan suit was denied, but is being appealed, and Pennsylvania is still pending.

But this is still important. The results must be certified. This is a close election, and all the more reason for me to lobby for the continued support of the Electoral College, even as the candidate I supported is losing. I must believe that our elections have integrity, and abide by the rules once the process plays out.