Biden confirmed as 2020 presidential election victor

Joe Biden has been confirmed as the winner of the U.S. election through the electoral college with 306 votes to out-going leader Donald Trump's 232.

Russian leader Vladmir Putin has finally congratulated Biden on the win more than a month after the U.S. election. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said' "the Electoral college has spoken," also accepting the victory, a crucial statement to move toward a transition in power.

Despite the reality of the election results settling in for everyone else, the White House is holding out hope that president can fight the decision legally up until the inauguration.  This is a formality in the Constitution and solidifies the win.  

On Jan. 5 the Congress will vote to certify the win. 

In his remarks Biden spoke about how the acceptance of the electoral college votes saves democracy.  Excerpts from his televised speech follow:

If anyone didn’t know it before, we know it now. What beats deep in the hearts of the American people is this: Democracy.

The right to be heard. To have your vote counted. To choose the leaders of this nation. To govern ourselves.

In America, politicians don’t take power — the people grant it to them.

The flame of democracy was lit in this nation a long time ago. And we now know that nothing — not even a pandemic —or an abuse of power — can extinguish that flame.

Continuing: 

"In this battle for the soul of America, democracy prevailed.

We the People voted. Faith in our institutions held. The integrity of our elections remains intact.

And so, now it is time to turn the page. To unite. To heal.

As I said through this campaign, I will be a president for all Americans. I will work just as hard for those of you who didn’t vote for me, as I will for those who did.

There is urgent work in front of all of us. Getting the pandemic under control to getting the nation vaccinated against this virus. Delivering immediate economic help so badly needed  by so many Americans who are hurting today —  and then building our economy back better than ever."

Many Republican voters have demonstrated to in support of Pres. Trump who refused to concede and maintains the election was stolen form him.