US Election Results 2024: Why Donald Trump Needs Kamala Harris to Confirm His Presidency

Washington, D.C., November 7, 2024 – In an unusual twist of political tradition, Vice President Kamala Harris will play a crucial role in confirming the victory of her rival, Donald Trump, as the 47th President of the United States. While Harris has already conceded the election and extended her congratulations, she is constitutionally required to preside over the joint session of Congress on January 6, 2025, where the final electoral vote count will be certified.

The Role of the Vice President in Electoral Certification

According to the U.S. Constitution, the vice president, serving as the president of the Senate, oversees the certification of the Electoral College results in a joint session of Congress. This process, set for January 6, involves the official tallying of votes submitted by the Electoral College, which casts its ballots on December 17, 2024. The vice president announces the outcome, confirming the next president.

Historical Precedents

Kamala Harris follows in the footsteps of past vice presidents who have had to declare their opponents as the next president. Most notably, Al Gore did so in 2001, announcing George W. Bush as the winner of the contentious 2000 election. In 1969, Hubert Humphrey, who had lost to Richard Nixon, was unable to preside over the certification due to attending a funeral, leading to Senate President Pro Tempore Richard Russell making the announcement.

Similarly, in 1961, Richard Nixon, as vice president, declared his Democratic opponent John F. Kennedy as the next president following his loss in the 1960 race.

January 6, 2025: The Joint Session

This joint session is a constitutionally mandated event where the House of Representatives and the Senate convene to validate the electoral count, state by state. While Vice President Harris is expected to oversee this process, she has the option not to participate. If she chooses to abstain, the task will fall to the president pro tempore of the Senate.

A Symbolic Moment in US Politics

The ceremonial act of the vice president declaring an electoral opponent victorious underscores the resilience of U.S. democratic traditions. The peaceful transition of power, even in fiercely contested elections, reflects the nation’s commitment to upholding constitutional processes.

Reflections from Past Events

This event carries additional significance due to its timing, coinciding with the anniversary of the January 6, 2021, insurrection, when a mob stormed the Capitol to disrupt the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory. The presence of Kamala Harris, who ran against Trump in this historic race, highlights the enduring importance of respecting the electoral system and its outcomes.

Looking Ahead

Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president is set for January 20, 2025, marking his return to the White House after losing in 2020. While the election results have been acknowledged, the procedural confirmation by Harris on January 6 will mark the formal declaration of Trump's victory and the close of a closely watched and hotly debated electoral cycle