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Key Dates for the Electoral College in 2004
November 2, 2004 -- General Election: The voters in each state choose "electors" to serve in the Electoral College. As soon as election results are final, the states prepare seven "Certificates of Ascertainment" of the electors chosen, and send one original copy along with two certified copies to the Archivist of the United States.
December 13, 2004 -- Meeting of electors: The electors in each state meet to select the new president and vice president. The electors record their votes on six "Certificates of Vote," which are paired with the six remaining original "Certificates of Ascertainment." The electors sign, seal and certify the packages of electoral votes and immediately send them to the president of the Senate, the Archivist of the United States and other designated federal and state officials.
December 14, 2004 (no later than this date) -- Deadline for Receipt of Electoral Votes: The president of the Senate, the Archivist of the United States, and other designated federal and state officials must have the electoral votes in hand.
January 6, 2005 -- Counting Electoral Votes in Congress: Congress meets in joint session to count the electoral votes (unless Congress passes a law to change the date).
So let's say that the election goes off smoothly, but somehow the electoral college process is disrupted. For example, let's say that the electoral votes aren't delivered to the recipients by the deadline? What happens? (I am NOT advocating this, just trying to be prepared when THEY try it.)
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