Trump wins election, Pennsylvania voters now have to cast ballots

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

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

However, Pennsylvania’s Electoral College vote results are still weeks away from being officially certified.

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

When does the Electoral College vote?

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

State election officials will then allow time to resolve any election problems or recounts that may arise.

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

The US National Archives and Records Administration explains that voters record their votes on six certificates of voting that accompany six certificates of certification.

“The electors then sign, seal, and certify the six sets of electoral votes,” notes the National Archives manual. “Each kit includes one Certificate of Attestation and one Certificate of Voting.”

What is the Electoral College?

The Electoral College is the Constitution’s system for electing the president. The Founding Fathers created it as a compromise between the direct popular vote and the vote of Congress.

There are a total of 538 electoral votes distributed among the 50 states and Washington, D.C., based on each state’s representation in Congress. To win, a candidate must receive 270 electoral votes.

Pennsylvania has 19 electoral votes.

Damon K. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist covering trending issues in the Mid-Atlantic region.