Cal Jillson, a political scientist and historian at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, said there was "tremendous energy" in this election on both sides, as it appears that Biden may claim 80 million votes by the time that it is all over, possibly 10 million more than the previous record, and Trump may claim 75 million.

Trump's conduct out of office over the coming years may keep his supporters stirred up, but that is probably not as important as whether the Senate Republican majority leader, Mitch McConnell, chooses to look for common ground with Biden or resist his early initiatives, according to Jillson.

Races for the control of the US Senate have not yet come to a finish line. If the Republicans retain the majority, they would likely make it difficult for the new administration to carry through its legislative agenda, including expanding healthcare, fighting climate change and raising taxes on the wealthy, according to US media analysis.

"The new administration will have to reenergize the fight against the coronavirus, pass an infrastructure bill, which Biden and McConnell might well be able to do together, and reengage with the world by rejoining the WHO, the Paris Climate Accords, and smoothing relations with the UN and NATO," Jillson said.