America chooses Biden

Joe Biden will be the 46th president of the United States, CNN projects, denying Donald Trump a second term in office.

A victory in Biden’s native Pennsylvania put the Democrat over the 270 electoral votes needed to secure the presidency. A few other states remain too close to call, days after Election Day.

“I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect (Kamala) Harris,” Biden said in a statement shortly after he was projected as the winner. “In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again, that democracy beats deep in the heart of America.”

Before Election Day even started, more than 100 million Americans — over 47% of all registered voters — had already cast a ballot.

Many states set records for early voting totals. Prior to Election Day, at least six states had already surpassed their entire turnout from the 2016 election.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, states adjusted their policies to give voters a safe alternative to voting in person. Requests for absentee and mail-in ballots increased across the country.

Batches of mail-in and early votes meant the count often dramatically shifted one way or the other on election night — and in the days after.