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posted ago by supportive_frog ago by supportive_frog +60 / -1

Hi! I'm new here, not a US citizen but concerned about what's happening in one of my favorite countries in the world!

I have a question: doesn't 'President Elect' mean that the electoral college vote has already taken place? Since it has not, how come Biden is referred to (and refers to himself) as such?

I can understand the usual suspects making that 'mistake' on purpose (CNN, etc), but the whole of the planet including world leaders?

I could be wrong of course, and maybe it's enough for 'the math to add up' (i.e. 'first-past-the-post model).

Thank you.

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deleted 13 points ago +14 / -1
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Saxon_Huskarl 2 points ago +2 / -0

Interesting distinction, thanks,

Merriam Webster Dictionary

President-elect: a person who has been elected president but who has not officially become president yet

Trump was referred to as the President-elect after November 8, 2016, but Hillary had conceded. In 2000 Bush only became President elect after Gore conceded.

For Biden to be President Elect, Trump would have to concede OR Biden would have to win the Electoral College, I guess.

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supportive_frog [S] 1 point ago +1 / -0

Interesting, thanks!