A reader has called us out for calling Joe Biden the president-elect, in the editorial “Heal our nation” which ran Nov. 12. She is right. He is the apparent or presumptive president-elect until the Electoral College meets on Dec. 14.

We voted for electors, not candidates, on Nov. 3. The magic number of electoral votes is what each candidate strives to achieve, and while recounts are underway in a few states, it does appear that Mr. Biden has well over the number that he needs. But it’s not over until it’s over. Any citizen who had a good government teacher knows that.

Less obscure is the fact that a new president will be inaugurated on Jan. 20.

Our main point was to heal our nation. We need to do that as well as to absorb our civics lessons.
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