Electoral College in Indiana and Michigan
The Electoral College, the way we officially elect the President and Vice President of the United States, will meet in their respective states on December 19, 2016.
Each party chooses their electors during their national conventions. The party who wins the state on Election Day, sends their electors to participate in the Electoral College.
The electors meet in each state meet at a location and time on December 19 determined by state law.
In Indiana, the eleven electors will meet at 10 a.m. ET in the chamber of the House of Representatives in the State House.
There will be an invocation, Presentation of the Colors, recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, singing of the National Anthem and welcoming remarks.
The Certificate of Ascertainment, signed by the governor, will be read. It lists the names of the electors chosen by the voters and the number of votes received, the names of all other candidates for elector and the number of votes received.
Then a roll call is taken of the electors.
This year, Indiana's elector candidates from the Republican Party are:
- Stephanie Beckley, Jamestown
- Daniel Bortner, Bedford
- Laura Campbell, Carmel
- Jeff Cardwell, Indianapolis
- Donald L. Hayes, Jasper
- Randall Kirkpatrick, Ligonier
- Ethan E. Manning, Indianapolis
- Macy Kelly Mitchell, Indianapolis
- Edwin J. Simcox, Muncie
- Fishers Kevin Steen, Muncie
- Chuck Williams, Valparaiso
During the meeting, the electors first vote for President on a paper ballot. The results are tabulated and announced.
Then the electors vote for Vice President on a paper ballot, the results are tabulated and announced.
According to the state, no elector in Indiana has voted for a candidate other than the candidate they were pledged. According to the national archives, 99-percent of electors have voted as pledged.
Copies of the Certificate of Ascertainment and Certificate of Votes Cast are sent to President of the Senate, the National Archives, the Chief Judge of the Southern District Court of Indiana and the Indiana Secretary of State.
In Michigan, the electors will convene in the senate chamber at the capitol at 2 p.m. ET on December 19.
The elector then must vote for the candidate they were pledged. Failure to do so will result in the elector being removed and replaced.
Electors are chosen by each political party.
The governor must sign the Certificate of Ascertainment and Certificate of votes cast to the President of the Senate, the National Archives, the Chief Judge of the Southern District Court of Indiana and the Indiana Secretary of State.
The following states have state laws that require electors to cast their vote for a specific candidate. Some states even include fines or criminal law violations for failing to vote appropriately.
Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. [Source: Archives.gov]
On January 6, the electoral votes from each state are counted in a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives.
The president and vice president take office at noon on January 20, 2017.