The pendulum of the political landscape has swung favorably toward President-elect Donald Trump, as his triumph over Kamala Harris in the recent elections edges closer to official validation. This noticeable shift in power marks the beginning of the procedural transition from the Biden administration to induct Trump for a second term in office. On this political odyssey, Trump has already declared most of his Cabinet nominations, their legislative approval being the only step that stands in the way.
As we witness the countdown to Trump’s second presidential term, a series of deadlines sheds light on this transition. On December 11, all states are earmarked to validate their respective results via certificates of ascertainment. The document encapsulates the list of electors for each presidential candidate and denotes the votes each competitor garnered, typically reflecting the popular vote.
State governors are tasked with drafting seven of these certificates, subsequently dispatching one to the United States Archivist for record-keeping. The certificate of ascertainment must be on the archivist’s desk at least six days prior to the gathering of electors, aligning with the constitutional timeline.
On December 17, a pivotal day in the electoral process unfolds where electors nationwide, including Washington D.C., convene in their respective capitals. Their roles are not just ceremonial, as they cast their votes for both president and vice president independently. These votes are inscribed on six certificates of vote, later merged with the remaining certificates of ascertainment.
As defined by the U.S. National Archives, an electoral vote set is made of one certificate of ascertainment paired with one certificate of vote. These documents, signed, sealed, and authenticated by the electors, are required to reach both the president of the Senate and the Archivist no later than the fourth Wednesday of December. For 2022, this means December 25 – a Christmas gift of democracy.
In a synchronistic twist of events, December 20, the day assigned for Congress to finalize legislation to fund the government, coincides with the looming threat of governmental shutdown if they fail to do so. The juxtaposition of these events underscores the unique set of challenges the administration wrestles with during this critical period.
January 3 ushers in the dawn of a new era as the 119th Congress is inaugurated, painting the political palette red with GOP predominantly commanding both the House and Senate. Following closely on the heels of the swearing-in, the Archivist delivers sets of certificates to Congress, achieving the completion ideally in late December or early January.
Congressional parliamentarians usually participate in this process alongside representatives from the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House. This procedural exchange led by the Federal Register’s legal staff results in the certificates arriving in Congress, either in late December or at the turn of the year.
The freshly appointed 119th Congress, on January 6, carries the responsibility of validating the electoral votes in a joint session. Following the count, Harris, the outgoing vice president who faced defeat in her presidential pursuit, will announce the election’s result. This adds her to the exclusive club of vice presidents who were runners-up in a presidential race and yet officiated over the electoral vote tally.
To challenge the election results, a written objection has to be presented by at least one-fifth of the House and one-fifth of the Senators – an unlikely scenario considering Trump’s clear-cut victory. Previous to last January’s Capitol incident, this procedural step remained widely overlooked. As a consequence of the riot, the Capitol instated the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022, setting a much higher threshold for questioning a state’s election outcome.
The spotlight of history shines ever brighter on January 20, as Trump’s second term officially commences. Aided by the noon ringing of the clock, Trump will recite the presidential oath, indicating the start of a new chapter in his political narrative.
Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, also steps into his role, marking the day the GOP enjoys a trifecta of control in the White House, the House, and the Senate. The collective republican dominance suggests a promising tenure with plans and policies reflective of conservative principles.
A mixture of old and new team members expected to make the cut includes tried and tested favorites as well as upcoming stars of the conservative realm. As their names loom on the horizon ahead of the Senate confirmation hearings, the widespread eagerness for the commencement of the Trump era holds the political world in its grip.
The new balance of power, brought on by Trump’s decisive victory, offers a vista of opportunities for the GOP to reshape and reenergize the American political landscape, promising a myriad of impactful policies. The administration’s main objective is a better America, where everyday citizens feel seen, heard, and most importantly, represented.
Rest assured, as January 20 nears, the country is set to see a surge in potential, prosperity, and power. This is due to a holistic, all-encompassing trifecta of governance by the GOP at the White House, the House, and the Senate.