Which body certifies the Electoral College results in the United States?

Which body certifies the Electoral College results in the United States?

• A. Supreme Court
• B. State legislatures
• C. The President
• D. Congress

Answer: (D)

The key idea being tested is who validates the official tally of the Electoral College at the federal level. After the electors meet and cast their votes in December, their sealed ballots are sent to the President of the Senate. In a joint session of Congress, the Vice President presides, and those ballots are opened, counted, and the result is declared. This procedure is established by the Constitution and the Electoral Count Act. State authorities certify the electors’ selection within each state, but the formal certification of the presidential outcome—the official counting of the electoral votes—is done by Congress. The Supreme Court and the President do not certify the results, and state legislatures don’t certify the federal tally.

The key idea being tested is who validates the official tally of the Electoral College at the federal level. After the electors meet and cast their votes in December, their sealed ballots are sent to the President of the Senate. In a joint session of Congress, the Vice President presides, and those ballots are opened, counted, and the result is declared. This procedure is established by the Constitution and the Electoral Count Act. State authorities certify the electors’ selection within each state, but the formal certification of the presidential outcome—the official counting of the electoral votes—is done by Congress. The Supreme Court and the President do not certify the results, and state legislatures don’t certify the federal tally.