Dec. 17 - ELECTORAL COLLEGE ASSEMBLY CONVENES

On Dec. 17th in all 50 states electors gather to cast their electoral college votes for president and vice president. Minnesota’s ten electors have paperwork in place on their desks in the Senate Chamber in preparation for their electoral votes.

Elector Byron K. Wilson, left, talks with elector Kathleen Organovic, right, prior to the convening of the Electoral College Assembly.

Elector Elizer Darris, left, speaks with Sec. of State Steve Simon, right, prior to the convening of the Electoral College Assembly at the Capitol. After being released from prison Darris advocated and lobbied for people on parole and probation to have the right to vote. A Minnesota law was passed that allowed him to vote for the first time in the 2024 presidential election. As an elector he also cast votes in the Electoral College for president and vice president.

State Sen.Steve Cwadzinski, left, an alternate elector, points out his spectators in the Senate gallery to Minnesota DFl Chair Ken Martin right, prior to the begining of the Electoral College Assembly.

Ceremonies in the Senate Chamber began with the Presentation of Colors and saying of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Sec. of State Steve Simon presides over the assembly and calls the roll of electors.

A quorum being present Sec. of State Simon administers the oath to electors ,from left, Allen Parish, Joseph Boyce and Elizer Darris.

Elector Allen Perish writes in Tim Walz for vice president on his electoral certificate.

Elector Kathleen Oganovic gives her electoral voice votes to Kamala Harris and Tim Walz for president and vice president.

Wolid Ahmed, with Sec. of States office, watches elector Joseph Boyce sign several Certificates of Vote.