On Monday the 538 Presidential electors in the US Electoral College will formally cast their votes. It is only then that Donald Trump — barring the defection of 37 of his electors — will offically become the President-elect, subject to the confirmation of the US Congress on January 6.
The process has drawn attention because of flutters, more in hope than any reality, that a last-minute move against Trump could cause enough defections to re-open the result. However, apart from one elector from Texas, there is no sign of the unprecedented development.
Instead, wider and ongoing questions continue: why is the US using a system which effectively overrides the popular vote, won by Hillary Clinton with a lead of more than 3 million over Trump?
I set out a Beginner’s Guide in conversations with BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio Wales on Monday morning:
