How The Winner Of A Presidential Election Is Really Declared

Many Americans believe that once the media 'calls' a presidential election and one candidate gives a concession speech, the other is officially named the winner.

But according to Voice of America, that's far from the truth.

In fact, it's a multi-step process that takes place over the course of months, not days.

Once all the in-person, mail-in, and provisional ballots are tallied, each state governor draws up a list of electors.

Copies of this list are submitted to the US Archivist.

The electors then meet in their state capitals on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December, to formally vote for president and vice president.

The electors in each of the states complete Certificates of Vote and send them to the US Senate, the National Archives, and state officials.

The final step in the process occurs in early January.

Congress meets to count the electoral votes and officially certifies the winner.

While the process is ordinarily ceremonial, there can be objections.