President Trump is moving forward with a blitz of legal challenges after losing the election. “Beginning Monday, our campaign will start prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated,” Trump said. His campaign has filed lawsuits in several states including Michigan, and plans to demand recounts in some close races. But his lawyers need proof to back fraud claims. So far, they haven’t shown any.
Biden is sending a message that fighting coronavirus will be a key priority for his administration. On Monday he is set to announce a task force of advisers who will help tackle the pandemic once he takes office. The group of 12 will include leading scientists and experts.
States will begin certifying election results Tuesday and into next month. Each state does things differently, but in general, they begin to validate their results a week after Election Day. Most states do it in the final two weeks of November, but deadlines can be moved if there’s a recount in tight races.
With Harris vacating her Senate seat in California, her successor will be up to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. Under state law, he has the sole power to appoint her replacement. He has a lot of candidates, but it’s unclear when he will decide or who he might choose. The appointee will serve until 2022, when Harris’ term expires. Then he or she would run for a full six-year term in their own right.
Meanwhile, even though the election has been decided, states will continue counting votes. Several states, including Georgia and North Carolina, remain too close to call. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and in most states, had to be received within a day or two. But in Minnesota and Nevada, they can be received and counted until Tuesday while in Ohio, they can be received until Friday.
