ATLANTA — With his victory in the 2024 election, Donald Trump is set to make his return to the White House. But there's still a long road ahead before votes will be certified on the floor of the Senate.
Here's a look at what is set to transpire in the coming months before Inauguration Day on January 20.
What happens now?
Although news media organizations have called the race for Trump, those results aren't official. Ballots still have to be counted, and states have to add in provisional ballots, votes from Americans overseas and deal with any other issues before each state's certification deadline.
Dec. 11 - Appointing electors
This is the deadline for the state's "executive," which is usually the governor, must certify the state's presidential electors. These electors are the people who will actually meet to vote for president. There is one elector for each Senate or House seat the state has, so each has a minimum of three electors.
Dec. 17 - Electors meet
Electors appointed by each state's executive will meet in that state's capital to cast their official votes for whichever candidate won the most votes there. These gatherings are referred to as the meeting of the Electoral College.
Dec. 25 - Electoral votes arrive in D.C.
The president of the Senate and the national archivist in Washington D.C. must receive the electoral certificates from each state by the fourth Wednesday in December. In this case, that would be on Christmas day.
Jan. 6 - Electoral votes counted
In the final step of the election, the newly sworn-in Congress will convene to count the electoral votes sent in by the states. Once that process is done, the president-elect will be confirmed.
