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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />The electors in each of the states complete Certificates of Vote and send them to the US Senate, the National Archives, and state officials.<br /><br />The final step in the process occurs in early January. Congress meets to count the electoral votes and officially certifies the winner.<br /><br />While the process is ordinarily ceremonial, there can be objections.
