By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Monday, December 19, 2016, Alabama’s Republican Electors met in Montgomery and there were no surprises as all nine voted—as they had pledged—for Donald Trump to be the 45th President of the United States.
Congresswoman Martha Roby (R-Montgomery) was present for the historic moment.
Representative Roby wrote in an email to constituents, “Alabama’s electors have officially cast our state’s nine electoral votes for President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence. I attended today’s Electoral College ceremony at the State Capitol to see the votes cast in person. On January 6th, the House and Senate will meet in a joint session of Congress at the US Capitol to count and confirm the electoral votes from all states. These are historic moments for our country, and I will keep you in the loop by continuing to post updates to social media.”
US Representative Mike Rogers (R-Saks) said on socal media, “Honored to be at the state Capitol today to witness Alabama’s nine electors cast their votes for President-elect Donald J. Trump.”
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) said on Twitter, “Alabama’s Electors represent the voice of the people. Today’s Electoral College ceremony is a historic occasion for our State and our people.”
Elector and State Representative Tim Wadsworth (R-Arley) promisd before the vote, “I, Tim Wadsworth a citizen, voter, and ELECTOR of the 4th Congressional District along with 8 other ELECTORS in Alabama will cast your Vote in Montgomery for Donald Trump. The executive committee of the Republican Party entrusted me and I pledged to cast YOUR vote for the Winner of the November 8, 2016 Presidential Election. Each of the Electors have been bombarded daily by emails, mail, UPS mail, and Fed Ex mail, phone calls (including 1:00 am from California) by people who don’t accept the election results and wish the Electors to change YOUR vote. I was elected to CAST YOUR VOTE AND TOMORROW I WILL BE PROUD TO CAST YOUR VOTE FOR DONALD TRUMP AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.”
Elector and former State Representative Perry O. Hooper Jr. said, “As an Alabama Elector, it was an Honor to represent the Great State of Alabama and vote for Donald J. Trump as the President of the United States of AMERICA!”
There were, however, some protestors present in Montgomery for the event.
Nationally, it was much the same as the vast majority of Electors honored their promise to represent their states faithfully. Donald Trump received 304 of the 306 Electors he earned on November 8. One Republican Elector voted for Ohio Governor John Kasich (R) and one voted for former Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas). Three Democratic Electors voted for former Secretary of State General Colin Powell and one Democrat voted for Native American Activist Faith Spotted Eagle. Two other Democrats voted for Kasich and US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont); but they were replaced under Colorado and Maine state laws so their votes did not count.
The Electoral College has been widely criticized following this election.
President-Elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated on January 20, barring tragedy or if something unforeseen were to happen on January 6th, when Congress is expected to certify the results of this election.
