The Electoral College Picks Gore
Each state's members of the Electoral College are required by law to "meet and give their votes on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December." In 2000, that day is December 18.
After the 50 sets of electors meet in the various state capitals on December 18, it is clear that Albert Gore has more than half of the Electoral College votes. Perhaps one or two "faithless electors" around the country have voted for Bush in protest, but not enough to take the election from Gore.
On January 6, 2001, at precisely 1 p.m. Eastern Time, the House and Senate meet together to formally count the votes of the Electoral College. Even though it's just a ceremony, they confirm that Albert Gore has won. Because of a constitutional quirk (part of the Constitution's system of checks and balances), the Vice President is also the President of the Senate; that means Al Gore has the honor of presiding over the ceremonial counting of the ballots that makes him president.
At noon on January 20, 2001, Vice President Albert Gore becomes the 43rd President of the United States. His inaugural address calls for a constitutional amendment to eliminate what he describes as the "arcane" Electoral College system.
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