Politics

It's Official: Obama Wins

By Kevin Hechtkopf

December 15, 2008 / 5:07 PM EST / CBS News

(AP)

We have known Barack Obama will become the nation's 44th president since Election Night, but now it's official. The Electoral College voters cast their ballots in state capitals today, fulfilling their ceremonial but very important role as laid out by the Constitution.

But this is actually not the last step in the process. Congress will still have to confirm the results at a joint session scheduled for Jan. 6. Mr. Obama will then be sworn in as the country's first black president on Jan. 20 at noon.

Earlier today, the Associated Press reported that 131 million Americans voted this year – the most ever. That amounted to 61.6 percent of eligible voters, the highest percentage since 1968. Read more on turnout here.