America, what now?

Following a contentious race for the White House, voters on Tuesday chose Republican Donald Trump as the next president of the United States after he claimed victory over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

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Clinton conceded the race to Trump early Wednesday after it became clear that she wouldn’t secure the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency. She urged her supporters to give Trump “an open mind and a chance to lead.”

Obama vowed that the transition from his administration to Trump’s would be peaceful and encouraged Americans to unite behind the president-elect while speaking Wednesday to reporters outside the White House.

So America, what now?

If all goes according to procedure, Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on Jan. 20. But there are a few steps between then and now.

>> Related: Donald Trump claims victory, promises to unite the nation as president

First, the administrator for the U.S. General Services Administration will have to verify the results of the election.

Once that’s complete, the GSA offers space at its headquarters for the president-elect to start working on the transition. Agency review teams will be formed, to be sent to federal agencies on Trump’s behalf. The teams will focus on getting up-to-speed with the inner-workings of the agencies.

>> Related: Obama promises peaceful transition of power, urges country to unite behind Trump 

Between now and Jan. 20, the incoming Trump Administration will start thinking about and vetting the people who he wants to fill any of about 4,100 presidential appointments – if he hasn’t already. Often, presidents-elect announce who they have in mind for key positions before their inauguration days.

Staring on Jan. 20, Trump is expected to start making public his nominations for Senate-confirmed appointments and his appointments to positions that don’t require Senate approval.

Also on Inauguration Day, federal agencies will start the process of orienting new appointees, a process that will continue over the year.

And then the process will be over, and the country will have a new president in the White House.

Trump won the presidential election Tuesday after winning 279 electoral votes to Clinton’s 228. He will be the first president to assume the presidency without any prior experience in government or the military.

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