It's official: Obama elected president

RICHMOND, Va. - December 15, 2008 - Electors gathering in state capitols across the country have pushed /*Obama*/ above the 270 electoral votes needed to win, according to a tally by The Associated Press. Obama takes office Jan. 20, becoming the nation's first black president.

Monday's voting was a largely ceremonial procedure, but one mandated by the Constitution. Obama defeated Republican Sen. John /*McCain*/ in the Nov. 4 election.

More than 131 million voters cast ballots - the most ever in a presidential election. But Obama's election will not be complete until Congress tallies the outcome of Monday's Electoral College vote at a joint session scheduled for Jan. 6.