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Election is over, but plenty of deadlines loom under Pa., U.S. law

Tribune-Review
By Tribune-Review
2 Min Read Nov. 6, 2020 | 5 years Ago
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The General Election was held Tuesday, Nov. 3, but the election process is far from over.

There are a series of actions required by Pennsylvania and federal law in order to confirm the results and install a new president in January.

Here are some important dates moving forward:

Nov. 6

Mail-in ballots postmarked by 8 p.m. Nov. 3 must arrive by mail at Pennsylvania county election offices by 5 p.m. in order to be counted.

Nov. 10

Last day for county boards of elections in Pennsylvania to receive military and overseas absentee ballots.

Deadline for counties to submit unofficial returns to the Pennsylvania Department of State.

Nov. 12

Any recount or recanvass of Pennsylvania elections must be ordered by 5 p.m. State law calls for an automatic recount if the margin of victory is one-half percent or less.

Nov. 18

Last date a recount or recanvass of Pennsylvania election can be started.

Nov. 23

Last day candidates can file petitions to contest a Pennsylvania election.

Deadline for county boards of elections to certify election results and file returns with Department of State.

Nov. 24

Any recount or recanvass of a Pennsylvania election must be completed by noon, with counties submitting results to state by noon the following day.

Dec. 8

Federal law requires all state recounts and court contests over presidential election results to be completed by this date.

Dec. 14

Electors meet in each state and cast their ballots for president and vice president. Pennsylvania has 20, and they will convene at noon at the State Capitol in Harrisburg.

Dec. 23

Deadline for elector ballots to be received by Senate president.

Jan. 6

U.S. Congress meets in joint session to count electoral votes.

Jan. 20

Inauguration of president-elect to become president of the United States.

Source: National Conference of State Legislatures, Pennsylvania Department of State

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