Electors across the country and the District of Columbia are gathering in their respective states today (December 14) to cast their ballots and confirm Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States and Kamala Harris as Vice President.
In an event that typically goes unnoticed, the 538 electors that make up the college will cast their ballots based on the certified votes of all 50 states. The ritual stems from the founders of America fearing that a leader could wield power unchecked following an election.
Indiana, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Vermont will be the first states to vote at 10 a.m. ET. California electors will cast their ballots at 5 p.m. ET.
Electors will sign multiple copies of paperwork certifying their vote including a copy for the President of the Senate (Vice President), two copies to their respective state’s Secretary of State, two to the National Archivist, and one copy to the respective US District Court judge.
Electoral votes must be received in Washington, D.C. by December 23, as reported by CNN.
The repeated attempts by Donald Trump at reversing the results of the election have increased national interest in the electoral college’s votes, as media outlets broadcast the formal process amid baseless claims of fraud by the president and Republican colleagues.
On Friday (December 11), the Supreme Court ruled that Texas had no standing in its case filed in an attempt to overturn results of the election on Trump’s behalf.
Trump’s behavior following the election has also increased the need for police security for electors around the country.
NBC News reported that the state Capitol in Michigan will be closed as votes are cast because of credible threats of violence. CNN reported some electors have had police escorts given the heightened threats of violence.
Biden is scheduled to give remarks at 8 p.m. ET following the day of voting by the Electoral College.
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