Associated Press
Florida’s electors will meet in the state Capitol Monday to cast their votes for president, after voters in the state chose Donald Trump. Don’t expect any surprises.
The people picked to cast Florida’s votes in the Electoral College are among the most faithful Florida Republicans, and it’s extremely unlikely any will be swayed by the tens of thousands of emails, letters and phone calls pleading with them not to cast their votes for Trump, who carried the state in November.
“I really appreciate all the postcards that I’ve gotten. The front side of them were pretty,” said Sharon Day, an elector who also serves as co-chair of the Republican National Committee. “I kind of find it amusing. What lemmings they are.”
It’s absurd to think a leader of the national GOP would vote for anyone other than Trump, and besides, it’s her duty, Day said.
“It’s my responsibility to support the wishes of the state of Florida,” she said.
That’s a sentiment that was echoed by other electors.
The Associated Press interviewed 22 of the 29 electors, and all expressed complete support for Trump. And all said the electoral college system should remain exactly as it is, saying that switching to a popular vote would give more sway to states like California and New York in choosing a president.
In Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Wisconsin, the majority of electors who spoke to The Associated Press felt bound to honor their states’ popular vote and remain with Trump. Many said they were inundated with emails, letters and packages hoping to persuade them to change their minds.
However, the majority of Virginia’s electors did express support for changing the Electoral College, an original feature of the Constitution, though they were divided on how to go about doing so. Illinois electors were also split on the system.
Florida law requires electors to cast their vote for the candidate voters chose in November. Florida’s electors were chosen by the Republican Party of Florida and approved by Republican Gov. Rick Scott, who backed Trump for president. Scott will oversee the vote at 2 p.m. Monday in the Senate chambers.
Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
3 comments
Richard Crooks
December 18, 2016 at 10:23 am
Something has to be done to stop TRUMP and his tribe before it is to late. WE THE PEOPLE
have to stand up against him all of his low life followers or we are dumond.
Louis R medina Sr
December 19, 2016 at 2:56 pm
We the people voted already .
Wesley Hufford
December 18, 2016 at 12:08 pm
The article is correct. The vote on Monday will be for Trump.
We should use Monday as a motivation to begin the process in the next election to elect individuals who are willing to build a fire wall in Florida. Presently, we are in for a rough time over the next two years. In the next election, we should get the vote out and get qualified candidates to run against those who support the policies of Trump.
Comments are closed.