Pennsylvania certifies election results cementing Biden’s victory

Joe Biden officially won the key battleground state a day after President Donald Trump said he had instructed his administration to proceed with a formal transition of power

In this file photo Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks to supporters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 3, 2020. Pennsylvania officially certified Democrat Joe Biden's election Show more

Pennsylvania formally certified its election results on Tuesday, officially cementing president-elect Joe Biden's victory in the keystone state. “As required by federal law, I’ve signed the certificate of ascertainment for the slate of electors for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris,” tweeted Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf.

“Again, I want to thank the election officials who have administered a fair and free election during an incredibly challenging time in our commonwealth and our country’s history,” Mr Wolf said. “Our election workers have been under constant attack and they have performed admirably and honourably.”

President Donald Trump refuses to acknowledge his loss in the election, despite winning 232 votes in the electoral college to Mr Biden’s 306 votes. Mr Trump won Pennsylvania – and its 20 electoral college votes – in 2016, but Mr Biden narrowly secured the battleground state this year.

Despite the defeat, the president made unsubstantiated allegations of widespread voter fraud and used that as the basis to file more than 30 lawsuits, which mostly attempt to stop states counting mail-in ballots – most of which favour Mr Biden and the Democrats. At least 25 of Mr Trump’s lawsuits have failed to advance.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejected one such lawsuit on Monday, which sought to block the counting of approximately 10,000 ballots from Philadelphia and Allegheny counties – traditionally Democrat strongholds.

But while Mr Trump still refuses to formally concede the election, he tweeted on Monday that he had told General Services Administration chief Emily Murphy to formally initiate the transition, allowing Mr Biden’s incoming administration to co-ordinate with the federal government after a weeks-long delay.

“I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to the initial protocols, and have told my team to do the same,” Mr Trump tweeted.