What happens next after Joe Biden wins US election? Timeline of how he'll replace Donald Trump

The President-elect will take the oath in January - but here's what happens in the days, weeks and months between now and then. At least, this is what is supposed to happen

Joe Biden will be the 46th President of the United States, denying Donald Trump a second term in the White House.

But he doesn't take over straight away.

The President-elect has to wait until January to take the oath of office at the huge inauguration.

But between now and then, there's a number of things that are supposed to happen.

Biden will set up his transition team. There are usually Oval Office meetings between the President and President-elect.

And there's a number of things that will probably happen purely because the man who's vacating the White House is Donald Trump.

Lawsuits, recounts, vote certification and the gathering of state electors are all on the calendar.

Here's a timeline of what should - and what could - happen in the next few days, weeks and months after the US election.

Days

More counting

Every state has a different cut off point for postal ballots to arrive. For most states it was Tuesday.

Others give two or three days grace as long as the ballot was postmarked by election day.

Minnesota and Ohio are allowing ballots to arrive up to November 10, Ohio until November 13 and for some reason Washington State has decided to leave things open until November 23.

Lawsuits

In this particular election, there are expected to be some lawsuits - and they could go on for a while. They'll start in individual states, where Trump's team have already begun lodging complaints about "irregularities" in vote counting.

Many of them have already been thrown out due to lack of evidence.

But in the coming days, they may be appealed to higher courts - right up to the Supreme court.

Transition begins

The Biden team has already set up its transition team website. Usually there's an Oval Office meeting between the President and President-elect within a few days of the election - but we honestly can't see that happening.

The transition team will set up an office somewhere and start making appointments to key White House staff roles and cabinet positions, so the new President can hit the ground running.

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Weeks

Certification of results

Starting on November 10, state governments will start to 'certify' their election results. This is the official release of ballot tallies after all provisional, contested and postal ballots have been checked. With the exception of California, all states have to do this by December 8. California's deadline is December 11.

Recounts

Recounts can start once a vote count has been certified. So far at least one state - Georgia - is likely to go to a recount. There are different rules for each state. Some recounts are triggered automatically if the result is within 0.5%. Others allow campaigns to demand one if the result is below a certain threshold - but makes them bear the cost themselves.

'Safe Harbour' date

December 8 is the final date that all counts, recounts and disputes are to be settled.

Months

Electoral votes cast

Electors are supposed to meet in their states six days after all disputes are resolved to cast their electoral college votes for President. In all but two states they're supposed to vote winner takes all. Maine and Nebraska split them by congressional district.

Some, but not all, states legally require electors to back the candidate who won the popular vote in the election. If they don't, they get the wonderful title "faithless electors" - and can usually be fined.

The votes have to be in by December 23.

Congress sworn in - January 3

New members of the House and senate will start being sworn in at noon.

Electoral votes counted - January 9

You wouldn't think it would take much to count 538 votes - but they make a big thing of it. They're officially read and counted in the House Chamber, with the President of the Senate - Vice President Mike Pence - presiding.

Inauguration Day - January 20

The outgoing President and President elect are both supposed to attend the enormous, lengthy ceremony - which sees the new President take the oath at noon and watch a parade along Pennsylvania Avenue.

There usually follow a series of balls and parties which run long into the night.