The Path to Become the President

In past years, after election night, there has been minimal discussion about the process our nation has set in place for the newly elected President to take office. Yet, this year has placed this process on the front page of the news. This is a quick reference tool that you can use to see how and when either the President re-elect or the newly elected President takes office. 

In October 2019, Gov. Wolf signed into law Act 77. Act 77 provided several changes to our voting laws. For instance, it allows for a vote by mail without any special requirements and enable voters to either mail in their ballot or drop it off in person at the board of election’s office. Therefore, this was the first general election that the Commonwealth has conducted under the new law. 

The Path to Become the President

A Presidential candidate must be:

• A natural-born citizen (U.S. citizen from birth)

• At least 35 years old

• A U.S. resident (permanently lives in the U.S.) for at least 14 years

Primaries and Caucuses:

• U.S. has two main parties: Republican and Democrat

• Each party has a caucus

  • Caucus members meet, discuss, and vote for who they think would be the best party candidate = candidate for the primary election

• In primaries, party members vote in a state election for the candidate they want to represent them in the general election

National Convention and General Election

• Following the primaries and caucuses, each major party holds a national convention to select a Presidential nominee

• Here, the Presidential nominee announces their choice for V.P.

• Campaigning is conducted throughout the country

• Election day, people in every State cast their vote

Electoral College

• When the people cast their vote for a particular presidential candidate, they actually vote for a group of people called electors

• Your vote tells your State which candidate you want your State’s electors to vote for

• The State uses the general election results to appoint their electors

• The winning candidate’s State political party, that is to say, the candidate with the majority vote, selects the individuals who will be electors

• The number of electors is equal to the total number of Senators and Representatives in Congress = 538 total (3 come from D.C.)

• PA has 20 electoral votes, 18 House Reps, and two Senators

• Each elector is granted one vote. The candidate who gets 270 electoral votes wins  

• Newly elected President and V.P. is inaugurated on Jan 20

Here is What Happens Between Election Day and Inauguration Day

Nov 3 – Election Day

• Voters in all 50 states place their vote for a slate of electors who pledged to support one of the presidential candidates in a later vote

• In PA, voters can vote on Election day, early vote, or vote by mail.

• All votes must be cast on or before Nov 3, but voting stops when polls close at 8 P.M. on Nov 3

Nov 23 – State will certify the election

• The actual day depends on States deadline (range from Nov 5 – Dec 11)

• P.A.’s certification deadline is Nov 23

• However, ballot disputes and litigation can slow this process and cause the certification to be pushed back (no legal repercussion if the deadline is missed due to these reasons)

Dec 8 – Safe Harbor deadline

• After this day, Congress is not allowed to challenge named electors

• Most states try to have their electors named by this deadline to prevent Congress from challenging them

Dec 14 – Gov must certify the election, and electors place their vote

• The Gov in each State must certify the presidential election and electors

• Electors meet in their State and place their vote for a president

• If the state’s electors do not make this deadline, their votes do not count

• In PA, by law, electors must vote for the candidate who receives the most votes in the State

Dec 23 – Congress receives all the State’s votes

Jan 3 – New Congress is sworn in

Jan 6 – Congress counts the electoral votes; this certifies a winner

• However, if neither candidate wins a majority of electors, then the House votes on the President and the Senate votes for the Vice President

Jan 20, 12:00 P.M. – New President is Sworn in