On Monday, the United States Congress will hold a joint session to officially certify the results of the 2024 presidential election.
According to CBS News, The House and Senate will recognize President-elect Donald Trump's electoral victory, confirming his 312-vote success.
This procedural convention marks a vital step toward the upcoming presidential inauguration on January 20. The joint session is presided over by Vice President Kamala Harris, continuing the tradition of the Vice President’s involvement in these events.
Since the Capitol riots in 2021, lawmakers have passed legislation to safeguard this process from similar disruptions. For the first time, officials are implementing the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022, which enforces a structured electoral verification mechanism during this certification.
This act reduces the complexity and confusion of past certifications by clearly outlining the steps to follow and limiting opportunities to object to electoral counts.
The 2021 events undoubtedly marked a significant moment in U.S. history, pushing for revisited electoral legislation. In that year, supporters of Donald Trump disrupted the certification process for President Joe Biden, resulting in violent clashes and a mature reflection on electoral procedures.
The newly formalized procedures under the Electoral Count Reform Act formalize the Vice President's role as purely ceremonial, emphasizing that the capacity is to oversee rather than influence the outcome.
The design aims to eliminate the ambiguities and legal uncertainties that characterized previous certifications, especially in scenarios like the 2021 disruption or the 2013 adjustment of the certification date when January 6 fell on a Sunday.
Congress announces the electoral votes aloud during these sessions, a practice that faced objection attempts in 2021 for states like Arizona and Pennsylvania. However, both objections were ultimately rejected, and the certified winner was upheld.
The reformation act enables Congress to ensure respect for the election outcome and uphold procedural integrity during these critical moments of democratic transition.The ceremony itself, while pivotal, stands as a formality leading up to the official change of leadership in the U.S. government. It underscores the peaceful transition of power that is a cornerstone of democratic governance.
Vice President Kamala Harris's role on this day is particularly symbolic, as she will be presiding over the session following a tumultuous period in the country’s electoral history, highlighted by the Capitol attack during her predecessor's certification ceremony.
The continuity of this tradition, despite past tensions, represents a resilient adherence to the constitutional process and the ongoing efforts to preserve it against future controversies. Officials expect this year's certification to reflect both the outcome of an electoral cycle and a strengthened commitment to the rule of law and respect for democratic norms.
In looking toward the inauguration and beyond, this certification by Congress on January 6 is a reaffirmation of the country's commitment to a structured, lawful, and orderly administration of its democratic principles. As the nation watches, the 2024 certification will hopefully represent a return to routine governance and a step forward toward national unity and political stability following the challenges faced in previous years.
