Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are declared the 46th president and vice president of the United State.

People celebrate on Black Lives Matter plaza across from the White House in Washington, DC on November 7, 2020, after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election. - Democrat Joe Biden has won the White House, US media said November 7, defeating Donald Trump and ending a presidency that convulsed American politics, shocked the world and left the United States more divided than at any time in decades. (Photo by Eric BARADAT / AFP) (Photo by ERIC BARADAT/AFP via Getty Images) — People celebrate on Black Lives Matter plaza across from the White House in Washington, DC on November 7, 2020, after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election. – Democrat Joe Biden has won the White House, US media said November 7, defeating Donald Trump and ending a presidency that convulsed American politics, shocked the world and left the United States more divided than at any time in decades. (Photo by Eric BARADAT / AFP) (Photo by ERIC BARADAT/AFP via Getty Images)

By Laura A. Oda | loda@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group

PUBLISHED: November 7, 2020 at 11:46 a.m. | UPDATED: November 8, 2020 at 11:46 a.m.

WASHINGTON — Democrat Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States on Saturday, positioning himself to lead a nation gripped by a historic pandemic and a confluence of economic and social turmoil.

His victory came after more than three days of uncertainty as election officials sorted through a surge of mail-in votes that delayed the processing of some ballots. Biden crossed 270 Electoral College votes with a win in Pennsylvania.

-Associated Press

People celebrate Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Philadelphia, after Democrat Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump to become 46th president of the United States. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Fletcher Peters of New York, a journalism student at NYU, reacts as she watches President-elect Joe Biden on a monitor in Times Square Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in New York, as he addressed the nation. Peters said "I think it's so beautiful because I'm a member of the press, and I can't believe we won. It means so much to me as an aspiring journalist." (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
Supporters of President Donald Trump stage a rally outside the Utah State Capitol Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Salt Lake City. Democrat Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States on Saturday, positioning himself to lead a nation gripped by a historic pandemic and a confluence of economic and social turmoil. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
People gather in Black Lives Matter Plaza to celebrate president-elect Joe Biden's win over Pres. Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Washington. His victory came after more than three days of uncertainty as election officials sorted through a surge of mail-in votes that delayed the processing of some ballots. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Supporters of President Donald Trump rally in Beverly Hills, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. Democrat Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States on Saturday, positioning himself to lead a nation gripped by the historic pandemic and a confluence of economic and social turmoil. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
Marianne Hoenow from Connecticut in the US celebrates the victory of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in front of the Brandenbug Gate next to the United States embassy in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. Biden defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States on Saturday, positioning himself to lead a nation gripped by the historic pandemic and a confluence of economic and social turmoil. (Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Trump supporters demonstrating during the election results, at right, pray with a counter protester after the presidential election was called for Joe Biden outside the State Capitol in Lansing, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE - NOVEMBER 07: Jailyn Banks and King M celebrate as President-elect Joe Biden arrives on stage at the Chase Center to address the nation on November 07, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware. After four days of counting the high volume of mail-in ballots in key battleground states due to the coronavirus pandemic, the race was called for Biden after a contentious election battle against incumbent Republican President Donald Trump. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Supporters of President Donald Trump stand outside of the Clark County Elections Department in North Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
A worker puts up an advertising billboard for a recruiting company, featuring what resembles US President Donald Trump, in Zagreb, Croatia, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 07: Hundreds of Donald Trump supporters gather in the state capital of Pennsylvania to display their anger at the outcome of the election hours after the state was called for Joe Biden on November 07, 2020 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Supporters of President Donald Trump claim that there was extensive fraud in the vote count despite being unable to come up with any strong evidence. Joe Biden will be sworn in on January 20 as the nation’s 46th president. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
People in New York's Times Square look up at a monitor as President-elect Joe Biden addresses the nation, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. Democrat Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States on Saturday, positioning himself to lead a nation gripped by a historic pandemic and a confluence of economic and social turmoil.(AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
Supporters of President Donald Trump pray during a rally to protest against President-elect Joe Biden's win Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 in Salem, Ore. Democrat Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States on Saturday, positioning himself to lead a nation gripped by a historic pandemic and a confluence of economic and social turmoil.(AP Photo/Paula Bronstein)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 07: People celebrate the results of the 2020 Presidential election along West Hollywood on November 7, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Supporters around the country are taking to the streets to celebrate after news outlets have declared Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden winner over President Donald Trump in the U.S. Presidential race. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
Supporters of President Donald Trump unfurl a giant American flag outside the Pennsylvania State Capitol, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Harrisburg, Pa., after Democrat Joe Biden defeated Trump to become 46th president of the United States. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Angelique McKenna reacts to President-elect Joe Biden's victory speech while listening at Black Lives Matter Plaza, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA- NOVEMBER 07: People drink champagne in front of City Hall after Joe Biden was declared winner of the 2020 presidential election on November 07, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to several news outlets presidential candidate Joe Biden defeated incumbent U.S. President Donald Trump to become the 46th President of the United States. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA- NOVEMBER 07: People celebrate outside the Philadelphia Convention Center after Joe Biden was declared winner of the 2020 presidential election on November 07, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to several news outlets presidential candidate Joe Biden defeated incumbent U.S. President Donald Trump to become the 46th President of the United States. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 07: Hundreds of Donald Trump supporters gather in the state capital of Pennsylvania to display their anger at the outcome of the election hours after the state was called for Joe Biden on November 07, 2020 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Supporters of President Donald Trump claim that there was extensive fraud in the vote count despite being unable to come up with any strong evidence. Joe Biden will be sworn in on January 20 as the nation’s 46th president. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA- NOVEMBER 07: People celebrate outside the Philadelphia Convention Center after Joe Biden was declared winner of the 2020 presidential election on November 07, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to several news outlets presidential candidate Joe Biden defeated incumbent U.S. President Donald Trump to become the 46th President of the United States. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
People celebrate at Times Square in New York after Joe Biden was declared winner of the 2020 presidential election on November 7, 2020. - Democrat Joe Biden has won the White House, US media said November 7, defeating Donald Trump and ending a presidency that convulsed American politics, shocked the world and left the United States more divided than at any time in decades. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP) (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/Afp/AFP via Getty Images)
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 07: Hundreds of Donald Trump supporters gather in the state capital of Pennsylvania to display their anger at the outcome of the election hours after the state was called for Joe Biden on November 07, 2020 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Supporters of President Donald Trump claim that there was extensive fraud in the vote count despite being unable to come up with any strong evidence. Joe Biden will be sworn in on January 20 as the nation’s 46th president. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 07: Hundreds of people gather in the state capital of Pennsylvania to display their support for Joe Biden hours after the state was called for Biden on November 07, 2020 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Supporters of President Donald Trump claim that there was extensive fraud in the vote count despite being unable to come up with any strong evidence. Joe Biden will be sworn in on January 20 as the nation’s 46th president. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
People celebrate on Black Lives Matter plaza across from the White House in Washington, DC on November 7, 2020, after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election. - Democrat Joe Biden has won the White House, US media said November 7, defeating Donald Trump and ending a presidency that convulsed American politics, shocked the world and left the United States more divided than at any time in decades. (Photo by Alex Edelman / AFP) (Photo by ALEX EDELMAN/AFP via Getty Images)
People celebrate outside Vaughn's Lounge in the Bywater section of New Orleans, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, after news outlets called the Presidential election in favor of President-elect Joe Biden and his running mate, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)