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Congress certifies Electoral College

Congress convened a joint session on January 6, 2021, at 1 p.m. ET, to count electoral votes by state and confirm the result of the presidential election. As president of the Senate, Vice President Mike Pence (R) presided over the proceedings. To object to a state’s count, one member of the U.S. House and one member of the U.S. Senate must submit a written objection after the body reads the vote count from a particular state or D.C. After time for debate, both chambers vote by a simple majority to concur with the objection for it to stand, otherwise the objection fails.

Around 2 p.m., both chambers recessed after pro-Trump protesters breached the Capitol and the building went into lockdown. The group passed several security barriers, leading to altercations with police and other security officials. Hundreds breached the interior of the Capitol and vandalized the building. Vice President Mike Pence (R) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) were evacuated and the Capitol was put on lockdown. Other members of Congress evacuated or sheltered in place. Capitol Police shot and killed an unidentified woman during the incident, with at least three others dying from other medical events in the process.

Congress reconvened after 8 p.m. ET to continue with the count.

Objections were submitted for six states.

Two objections were presented by a Senate and House member:

Arizona. The Senate voted against sustaining the objection to Arizona's electoral votes by a vote of 6-93. The House voted against sustaining this objection by a vote of 121-303.
Pennsylvania. The Senate voted against sustaining the objection to Pennsylvania's electoral votes by a vote of 7-92. The House voted against sustaining the objection by a vote of 138-282.

Four states were counted following incomplete objections presented by a U.S. House member with no U.S. Senator.

Georgia

Michigan

Nevada

Wisconsin

At 3:40 am EST, Vice President Pence concluded the joint session of Congress with the completion of the count.

Since the 1887 passage of the Electoral Count Act, there have been two instances of Congressional objections. In 1969, an objection was raised against the North Carolina vote, which was rejected 58-33 in the Senate and 228-170 in the House. In 2005 an objection was raised to the Ohio vote, which was rejected 74-1 in the Senate and 267-31 in the House.

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Local Roundup

Candidates wishing to run for mayor of St. Louis had to file by Monday—Jan. 4. Under the provisions of Proposition D, which was approved by voters on Nov. 3, candidates of all political affiliations will run together in the Mar. 2 primary election without party labels. The two candidates that receive the most votes will advance to the general election on Apr. 6.

Here are some other cities that are holding municipal general elections in the next few months:

Mar. 2—Montpelier, Vermont
Apr. 6—Anchorage, Alaska; Colorado Springs; Jefferson City, Missouri; Madison, Wisconsin; Milwaukee; and Oklahoma CIty
Apr. 20—Dover, Delaware
May 1—Arlington, Texas; Dallas; Fort Worth, Texas; Garland, Texas; Irving, Texas; Plano, Texas; and San Antonio
May 4—Lincoln, Nebraska
May 11—Omaha, Nebraska

Ballotpedia will cover these and all municipal elections taking place in the nation’s state capitals and 100 largest cities. Click the link below for a full list of the municipal races we’re following this year.

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Oregon, Montana become triplexes

Across the country, officials who won election in 2020 continue to be sworn into office.

Shemia Fagan (D) took office Jan. 4 as Oregon’s new Secretary of State, succeeding Bev Clarno (R), who did not run for re-election. Fagan defeated Kim Thatcher (R) and two other candidates in the general election on Nov. 3.

Governor Kate Brown (D) appointed Clarno to succeed Dennis Richardson (R), who died in 2019. Fagan’s swearing- in gives Democrats triplex control of the state because Gov. Kate Brown and Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum are both Democrats.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) also assumed office on Jan. 4, flipping that state from divided government to a Republican triplex. Gianforte was elected governor of Montana on Nov. 3, succeeding Steve Bullock (D). Democrats had held the governor’s office in Montana since 2004. Republicans retained control of the attorney general and secretary of state’s office in Montana in last year’s elections.

A triplex occurs when one party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, and attorney general. Currently, there are 20 states with a Republican triplex, 18 states with a Democratic triplex, and 12 states that are under divided control.

Next week, 13 state legislators will be sworn into office.

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