As news agencies across the US announce Joe Biden as the projected winner of the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump's campaign has announced that "the election is far from over".
Per BBC News, Donald Trump has released a statement in response to Joe Biden being projected at the 46th president of the United States.
The full written statement reads:
"We all know why Joe Biden is rushing to falsely pose as the winner, and why his media allies are trying so hard to help him: they don’t want the truth to be exposed.
"The simple fact is this election is far from over.
"Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor.
"In Pennsylvania, for example, our legal observers were not permitted meaningful access to watch the counting process. Legal votes decide who is president, not the news media."
It is important to note that it is common for media agencies to reveal their election projections based on voting analysis and counted ballots. (Click HERE to read why the Associated Press called Biden for Pennsylvania, and therefore, the election.)
Trump's statement continued:
“Beginning Monday, our campaign will start prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated.
"The American People are entitled to an honest election: that means counting all legal ballots, and not counting any illegal ballots. This is the only way to ensure the public has full confidence in our election.
"It remains shocking that the Biden campaign refuses to agree with this basic principle and wants ballots counted even if they are fraudulent, manufactured, or cast by ineligible or deceased voters. Only a party engaged in wrongdoing would unlawfully keep observers out of the count room – and then fight in court to block their access.
“So what is Biden hiding? I will not rest until the American People have the honest vote count they deserve and that Democracy demands."
Per BBC News, the Biden campaign has also released the following statement on behalf of Joe Biden, moments after he was announced as the projected winner of the election:
"I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice-President-elect Harris.
"In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again, that democracy beats deep in the heart of America.
"With the campaign over, it’s time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation.
"It’s time for America to unite. And to heal.
"We are the United States of America. And there’s nothing we can’t do, if we do it together."
The former Vice President surpassed the 270 electoral college votes needed to win the election after being declared victorious in Pennsylvania.
The Associated Press has declared that Democrat Joe Biden has defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States on Saturday [November 7].
The AP adds that Biden crossed 270 Electoral College votes with a win in Pennsylvania.
NBC and CNN have also declared Biden as the projected winner of the election.
As of this writing, Biden has earned 273 electoral votes, whereas Trump remains on 214. It is important to note that votes are still being counted.
The 2020 election saw both the Democratic and Republican candidates receive a record number of votes.
Per the Washington Post, reported that Biden had received a record 74,478,345 votes, breaking the record set by Barack Obama for most ever votes for a US presidential candidate.
Trump also received a record-breaking 70,329,970, marking a considerable increase from the votes he received in 2016.
Per BBC News, The Trump campaign has suggested that their candidate is not planning to concede the election. The result defies tradition, making Donald Trump the first one-term president since the 1990s.
Biden, 77, will be the oldest president in American history. The record was previously held by Donald Trump, who is 74.
When Biden is officially sworn is as the POTUS, this will also make running mate Kamala Harris the very first woman to hold the Vice President position.
What is the Electoral College System?
The 2020 US election results will be determined by the electoral college system – not the American voter.
Many incorrectly believe that the national vote dictates who becomes president and vice-president. But the truth is, although the public directly elects governors, mayors and members of Congress, it's the electoral college that decides who goes into the White House.
The electoral college is a group of 538 people that meet every four years shortly after Election Day to choose the winner of the US presidency. It's made up of representatives from each state, who are appointed by their corresponding political parties.
The number of members each state is allowed is determined by its population. California has the most with a staggering 55 electors while smaller states like Alaska have just three – which is the minimum.
Each member of the electoral college represents one vote. Typically, each elector casts their vote based on whoever won the public vote in their state – however, this isn't always the case.
To win the 2020 US election, Donald Trump or Joe Biden will need to win the majority of these votes – which is 270 is more.
Under the current system, if Biden were to win 91% of the vote in California, he would secure all of the state's 55 electoral votes. If he won just 51% of the vote, he would still walk away with all 55 electoral votes.
This is why it's possible for a candidate to lose the popular vote but still win the US presidential election.
Back in 2013, Hilary Clinton received 3 million more votes more than Trump but lost the race. That's because he received 57% of the electoral college votes.
