2008 Presidential Election

• Key Dates Timeline
  
  

• View this week's Question of the Week
  
  
• Public Law 110-430 changed the date of the electoral vote in Congress in 2009 from January 6 to January 8. This date change is effective only for the 2008 presidential election.
  
  
• We have received all of the Certificates.
     View the Certificates:  Certificates of Ascertainment   |   Certificates of Vote
  
  

After the general election, the Governor of each State prepares seven original Certificates of Ascertainment listing the persons appointed as electors, and sends one original and two certified copies to the Federal Register.

• December 9, 2008 is the deadline for States to make final determinations of any controversies or contests as to the appointment of electors.

• On December 15, 2008, the electors meet in their State to select the President and Vice President of the United States. The electors sign, seal and certify packages of electoral votes and immediately send one set of votes to the President of the Senate (Richard B. Cheney) and two sets to the Archivist.

• December 24, 2008 is the deadline for receipt of electoral votes at NARA.

• The Archivist transmits copies of the Certificates of Ascertainment to Congress by January 3, 2009.

• On January 6, 2009, Congress meets in joint session to count the electoral votes (Congress may pass a law to change the date).

• Registered voters choose the electors on November 4, 2008 during the General Election.
  
  
• View how the votes are distributed among the States.
  
  
• View the State Laws and Requirements to find out whether your State electors are bound by the popular vote.
  
  
• View the 2008 Presidential Election Pamphlet for relevant provisions of the Constitution and United States Code.

• Interactive Electoral Map
  
  
• Electoral College Calculator
  
  
• Register to Vote
  
  

Visit these other sites for more information about the U.S Presidency and the electoral process.

PDF files require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. More information on Adobe Acrobat PDF files is available on our Accessibility page.