[DoodleDawg]

Implicitly, he can delay the vote if he deems it necessary.

So you keep saying. I know of no implied power that allows the Executive branch to ignore legislation passed by the Legislative branch.

It has been delayed before.

When?

State legislatures are writing to request the delay. The letters will be published tomorrow...

So? If a minority of the legislators wrote Pence and requested he pronounce Trump the winner with 306 electoral votes then does he have the power to do that?

[Dr. Franklin]

So you keep saying. I know of no implied power that allows the Executive branch to ignore legislation passed by the Legislative branch.

Who said anything about the executive branch of government? VPOTUS is the President of the Senate. This is about a joint session of the legislature, and the presiding officer thereof. It is not about any power of the executive branch of government.

When?

In 1877, counting the electoral votes was delayed by the appointment of a special commission. Hayes was declared president on March 2nd, and took office on March 4, 1877.

So?

It's Pence's call. If they don't like it, they can try to get a court order, which should fail as it violates separation of powers. The judiciary can't tell the legislative branch how to conduct its business. It can only comment and opine after the fact.