KEY DATES
BETWEEN VOTE
AND INAUGURATION
Nearly three months transpire between Election Day and the presidential inauguration, during which time the votes for president and vice president must be counted and certified by the states and accepted by Congress.
NOV
DEC
JAN
Nov. 5
Election day
Absentee ballots received
Nov. 5-19
States certify election results
Nov. 6 - Dec. 11
Electors cast ballots
Dec. 17
Congress certifies results
Jan. 6
The president and vice president are sworn in.
Jan. 20
Absentee and overseas ballots
from voters unable to
vote in person are
received.
Deadlines vary
by state.
Nov. 5-19
A joint session of Congress convenes
to certify results. The vice president’s role is ceremonial.
Jan. 6
Election results, including for president and vice president, are certified to
determine how
state electors
will vote.
Deadlines vary
by state.
Nov. 6 - Dec. 11
State electors
cast their
ballots.
The candidate
with 270
or more votes
wins.
Dec. 17
Sources: AP Election Services; National Archives