The drafters of the Electoral Count Act consciously insisted on this weakened role for the vice president. Neither Vice President Pence nor the loyal followers of President Trump have a valid basis to contest anything. To be sure, this structure creates awkwardness, as it forces the vice president to announce the result even when personally unfavorable. After the close election of 1960, Richard Nixon, as vice president, counted the votes for his opponent, John Kennedy. He has not even acknowledged the historic win by Kamala Harris, the nation’s first female, first African-American and first Asian-American vice president.

Source: New York Times December 29, 2020 10:01 UTC