Joe Biden Democratic Donald Trump Republican The count of the Electoral College ballots during a joint session of the 119th United States Congress, pursuant to the Electoral Count Act and Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022, on January 6, 2025, was held as the final step that confirmed President-elect Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election over incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris.

Each state appoints electors according to its legislature, equal in number to its congressional delegation (senators and representatives).

Staff from the Office of the Federal Register ensure that each certificate contains all legally required information.

[14] The 12th Amendment mandates Congress assemble in joint session to count the electoral votes and declare the winners of the election.

[17] The session is ordinarily required to take place on January 6 in the calendar year immediately following the meetings of the presidential electors.

On December 23, 2022, the 117th Congress passed the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act.

In August 2024, Harris approached Yohannes Abraham to lead her Harris presidential transition team,[25] while Trump selected Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon as co-chairs of his Trump presidential transition team.

It notably took place in the presence of Vice President-elect JD Vance (then serving as a senator).