Election 2020 updates: Biden warns of 'dark winter,' pushes masks in pandemic plan
The president-elect emphasized how he would handle the pandemic response.
Joe Biden is set to become the 46th president of the United States, capping a tumultuous and tension-filled campaign during a historic pandemic against President Donald Trump. ABC News characterized Joe Biden as the apparent winner of his home state of Pennsylvania, putting him over the 270 vote threshold needed to capture the presidency.
The hard-fought battle against the president was set against the backdrop of racial unrest and the coronavirus pandemic and bitter divisions among the electorate.
Trump had falsely declared on election night, when he held a lead in several key states, that he won the contest and alleged without evidence, after the count started to swing the other way, that the election was being stolen from him and that fraud had been committed.
Painting the election as a "battle for the soul of the nation," Biden won on a message of unity over division, compassion over anger, and reality over what he called Trump's "wishful thinking" as the coronavirus pandemic cast a heavy shadow over the campaign.
The 2020 election has shattered voting records with votes totaling 147 million and counting, surpassing the 138 million who voted in 2016.
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Experts say there have been 10 million misinformation robocalls since June
Officials in at least six states -- including Michigan, Iowa, Ohio, Kansas, Nebraska and New York -- have reported that voters in their states have received misleading robocalls, in what a senior Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) official says amounts to voter intimidation.
There have been approximately 10 million of these robocalls since June, according to the robocall-blocking software group YouMail. The CEO of YouMail, Alex Quilici, told ABC News that the robocalls were placed in 316 area codes across the country.
According to a senior CISA Official, the FBI is investigating the robocalls. CISA is the cyber arm of the Department of Homeland Security.
The robocalls urge voters to “stay home and stay safe” and falsely claim that voting is extended until tomorrow due to the long lines at the polls.
In a statement, the FBI said it was aware of the robocalls but could not comment further. The FBI urged Americans to get the latest information from state and local election officials.
New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced her office is actively investigating allegations that voters are receiving robocalls spreading disinformation encouraging people to stay home on Election Day.
-ABC News’ John Santucci and Luke Barr
Biden heads to Wilmington, Delaware, after stop in Philadelphia
Biden heads to Wilmington, Delaware, after stop in Philadelphia
Joe Biden is on his way to Wilmington, Delaware, after making a stop in Philadelphia, where was welcomed by what looked like at least a hundred supporters and campaign organizers.
"As goes Philly, so goes the state of a Pennsylvania," Biden told his supporters.
Biden also stopped by Relish restaurant in Philly’s West Oak neighborhood, where he briefly went inside to meet with local elected leaders.
Following the brief stop, Biden then went to a canvassing event where he thanked a crowd for an “incredible” turnout at the polls.
Biden ticked through familiar portions of his stump speech, vowing to get a handle of COVID-19 and to be a president to all of America, not just his supporters.
Closing out his remarks, Biden once again urged everyone to get out and vote today if they hadn’t already, before expressing his affection for his two home states -- the one he was leaving, and the one he will be spending Election Night in.
“Lastly, I said this earlier. It’s expected there’s already over 110 million who have voted in the United States. They’re expecting up to 150 million, the largest turnout ever,” he said. “If you haven’t gotten everybody out, get them out. Get out and vote. It ain’t over ‘til it’s over and when it’s over we’re gonna win Pennsylvania because of you.”
While in Wilmington, about an hour’s drive away, Biden is expected to stop into the east side of the town.
-ABC News’ Molly Nagle
Trump attacks SCOTUS decision on Pennsylvania ballots
During an appearance at his campaign headquarters Tuesday, the president continued to blast the Supreme Court decision that allows Pennsylvania to count ballots that were postmarked by today until Friday.
“I think the ruling on Pennsylvania was an unfortunate one by the Supreme Court because I think we should know what happens on the night,” he said. “Let people put their ballots in earlier, but you have to have -- you have to have numbers. You can’t have these things delayed for many days and maybe weeks. You can’t do that. The whole world is waiting.”
“And a lot of shenanigans, a lot of bad things happen with ballots when you say, ‘Oh, let's devote days and days,’ and, all of a sudden, the ballot count changes,” he added.
He called the Supreme Court ruling, “a very dangerous decision for this country.”
“You have to have a date. And the date happens to be November 3rd,” he said. “And we should be entitled to know who won on November 3rd.”
- ABC News’ Terrance Smith and Elizabeth Thomas.
Harris urges those worried about civil unrest to ‘have faith in the American people’
Kamala Harris briefly spoke with reporters as she arrived in Detroit, Michigan, for her Election Day visit.
She spoke about the significance of Michigan to the White House, saying the purpose of the trip was to ensure that Michigan voters felt seen and heard by the Democratic ticket.
"The path to the White House and the path to determining who will be the next president of the United States, without question, runs through Michigan," she said. “So I’m just here to remind people of the Detroit that, that they are seen and heard by Joe and me and also that they may actually decide the outcome of this race."
Harris was asked what she would say to Americans nervous about the potential for civil unrest after the polls close.
“Have faith in the American people,” she responded. “I do strongly believe that we, whoever you vote for, will defend the integrity of our democracy and a peaceful transfer of power.”
Finally, Harris was also asked how she’s feeling about her and Joe Biden’s chances at winning.
“Listen, the day ain’t over,” she responded. “Ask me after the polls close. Maybe I’ll have a better idea, but right now, I’m just here to remind people to vote because the election is still happening right now. It’s not over.”
Harris is slated to make a couple of local stops in the Motor City before flying to Delaware for the campaign’s Election Night event.
-ABC News’ Averi Harper.