SATURDAY ELECTION UPDATES: Biden win brings protest, tense moments and some celebration
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UPDATE 1 P.M.: With former Vice President Joe Biden securing enough electoral votes, there were celebrations in the immediate aftermath, The Associated Press reported.
The fears of protests turning violent remain as President Donald Trump so far refuses to concede. In one battleground, Trump supporters and Black Lives Matter demonstrators were seen praying with one another and singing Amazing Grace. In cities around the country, people flocked into the streets honking horns, banging pots and pans, and celebrating Biden's projected win to become the 46th president of the United States.
Still, Trump supporters said they will continue to be on the lookout for voting fraud and irregularities. Trump is pledging to continue to fight his case in the courts.
UPDATE 11:15 A.M.: President Donald Trump in a statement Saturday said the projection of former Vice President Joe Biden as the next president is premature.
The president's campaign issued a statement that repeated thus far unsubstantiated claims of widespread voting fraud, saying his Democratic rival is being propped up as the next president by his "media allies."
“We all know why Joe Biden is rushing to falsely pose as the winner, and why his media allies are trying so hard to help him: they don’t want the truth to be exposed. The simple fact is this election is far from over. Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor. In Pennsylvania, for example, our legal observers were not permitted meaningful access to watch the counting process. Legal votes decide who is president, not the news media.
“Beginning Monday, our campaign will start prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated. The American People are entitled to an honest election: that means counting all legal ballots, and not counting any illegal ballots. This is the only way to ensure the public has full confidence in our election. It remains shocking that the Biden campaign refuses to agree with this basic principle and wants ballots counted even if they are fraudulent, manufactured, or cast by ineligible or deceased voters. Only a party engaged in wrongdoing would unlawfully keep observers out of the count room – and then fight in court to block their access.
“So what is Biden hiding? I will not rest until the American People have the honest vote count they deserve and that Democracy demands.”
President Trump
UPDATE 10:30 A.M.:
Multiple outlets are reporting Joe Biden has won Pennsylvania. The win puts his electoral college votes at 273 which has him projected to be the 46th president of the United States.
"I will be a President for all Americans — whether you voted for me or not," Biden said via Twitter.
This makes President Trump the first incumbent to lose reelection since George H.W. Bush in 1992.
Kamala Harris will be the first woman and person of color to serve as vice president.
Harris tweeted about the victory minutes after the announcement.
ORIGINAL:
Former Vice President Joe Biden continues to extend his lead over President Trump in the race for the White House Saturday morning.
Six states are still counting votes including Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina, Nevada, Alaska and Pennsylvania.
In Georgia, Biden leads by 7,248 votes. As of Saturday morning, Biden has 2,461,455 votes while President Trump has 2,454,207 votes. Those totals are with 99% of expected vote reporting.
Biden is also ahead in Arizona by 29,861 votes with 97% of the vote in. Trump currently has 1,574,206 votes while Biden has 1,604,067.
President Trump leads in North Carolina with 98% of the vote in. Trump leads by 76,515. Biden has 2,656,303 votes while Trump has 2,732,818.
Biden's lead continues to grow in Pennsylvania with 96% of the vote in. He has 3,336,887 votes while Trump has 3,308,054.
Stay with ABC 17 News for more information on this developing story.
