Election 2020 Today: Smooth Election, Biden Ready To Work

Heres whats happening Wednesday in Election 2020.

TODAYS TOP STORIES:

SMOOTH ELECTION: State officials and election experts say the 2020 election unfolded smoothly across the country and without any widespread irregularities. Thats a stark contrast with the baseless claims of fraud being leveled by President Donald Trump following his defeat. Election experts say the large increase in advance voting helped take pressure off Election Day operations. There were also no incidents of violence at the polls or voter intimidation. Trump has made numerous claims of fraud but has not provided evidence to back up those claims.

GET RIGHT TO WORK: President-elect Joe Biden is shrugging off Trumps fierce refusal to accept the election outcome as inconsequential, even as Democrats elsewhere warn that the Republican presidents actions are dangerous. Trump has blocked the incoming president from receiving intelligence briefings and withheld federal funding intended to help facilitate the transfer of power.

GOP BACKS TRUMP: Republicans are largely standing with Trump as he launches false attacks on the integrity of the 2020 election. The effort appears aimed at trying to discredit Biden, who has secured more than the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the White House. The GOP efforts to malign the election could create challenges for Biden as he seeks to govern next year and address the nations pressing problems, including the coronavirus pandemic and economic uncertainty.

HOUSE CONTROL: Democrats have clinched two more years of controlling the House. But theyll do it with a potentially razor-thin majority. That would mean a bittersweet finale to last weeks elections thats leaving them divided and with scant margin for error for advancing their agenda. But while they will control the chamber, they had expected to win perhaps 15 new seats until they were blindsided by a surge of Republican voters in districts around the country.

BREAKING STEREOTYPES: The husband of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Doug Emhoff, plans to leave his private law practice by Inauguration Day to focus on White House duties. Emhoffs decision to leave DLA Piper also avoids any appearance of conflicts of interest, as the firm has a lobbying presence in Washington. Emhoff, 56, will be the first man to hold the role of vice presidential spouse; Harris will be the nations first female vice president. Emhoff’s decision to leave his high-profile job tracks with choices female political spouses have made for years. He hasnt said what issues hell take on.

QUOTABLE: The 2020 general election was one of the smoothest and most well-run elections that we have ever seen, and that is remarkable considering all the challenges. Ben Hovland, a Democrat appointed by Trump to serve on the Election Assistance Commission, which works closely with officials on election administration.

ICYMI:

False claims of voting fraud, pushed by Trump, thrive online

Trump election challenge not same as 2000 Florida recount

AP Explains: Elections validity intact despite Trump claims

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Find APs full election coverage at APNews.com/Election2020.

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