BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) – On Wednesday, Congress will hold a joint session at 1 p.m. EST to certify the electoral college votes.
This Constitutionally-mandated tradition has typically been a mundane routine. But in an election season plagued by controversy and conspiracy, all eyes will be on Capitol Hill Wednesday.
“There is going to be a lot of talk tomorrow, a lot of gnashing of teeth. But at the end of the day, Joe Biden is going to be on his path to being the next President,” said Dr. Greg Noone, professor of political science and law at Fairmont State University.
Over a dozen Representatives and Senators plan to object to the vote count in at least six swing states.
If both a Congressional Representative and a Senator both object to a state’s count, both houses will split for debate and a roll call vote. This process could last upwards of two hours for each state. Meaning, the count that starts in the early afternoon may not wrap until Thursday morning.
“[Sen. Mitch McConnell] does not want his Republican Senators who are on the ballot in 2022 to have to choose between President Trump and democracy,” said Dr. Noone.
Both Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin have said they will not object to the counts.
5 News reached out to the three Congressional Representatives for West Virginia to see what their plans are. Rep. David McKinley has publicly acknowledged President-elect Joe Biden as the winner and has shown no signs that he will object to the vote counts. His press secretary did not clarify his position, but said Rep. McKinley will be releasing a statement tomorrow.
Rep. Carol Miller’s press secretary, as well, did not clarify where she will fall Wednesday.
Rep. Alex Mooney was vague in his plans.
In a longer statement sent to 5 News, Rep. Mooney touted his challenges to the 2020 election, as well as detailed a history of objections in the counts. Seemingly hinting that he would join the objecting parties on Wednesday.
If Rep. Mooney does object, it could leave lasting effects as West Virginia’s electoral structure is reformed.
“Fast forward two years. When we lose a Congressional district and redistrict because of the census, you are probably going to see Mooney against McKinley showdown in 2022. So it will be interesting to see if this becomes an issue in 2022. Who stood with Trump and who stood with democracy,” said Dr. Noone.
Recent conspiracies regarding the role of Vice-President Mike Pence in counting the vote have surfaced suggesting he may have the ability to throw out votes, however Dr. Noone says the Vice-President does not have those powers.
The objections raised to electoral votes are not expected to overturn the election results.