BOISE, Idaho (AP) - All four of Idaho’s Republican electors cast their ballots for Donald Trump for president Monday during a formal but brief ceremony at the Idaho Capitol.
The electors refused to stray from the state’s popular vote despite being flooded with emails, letters and untold numbers of calls urging them to vote against Trump.
Opponents across the country had launched a longshot effort to persuade electors to deny the presidency to Trump - something that has never been done before. Idaho electors were especially targeted because they are one of several states not required to vote for the candidate who won the popular vote.
However, Idaho’s GOP electors are some of the Republican Party’s most loyal members. After Trump carried nearly 60 percent of the Gem State against Democrat Hillary Clinton on Election Day in November, there was never any doubt the electors would throw their support behind him.
“Donald J. Trump is going to make this nation a better nation, he will make it stronger and more prosperous,” said Rod Beck, an elector, in a statement before casting his vote.
The electors unanimously signed separate ballots for Trump and vice-presidential running mate Mike Pence during Monday’s meeting at the governor’s ceremonial office in the Idaho Capitol, overseen by Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter and Secretary of State Lawerence Denney. The meeting lasted roughly seven minutes.
“Let’s especially show the kids what it means to be an American and have a peaceful transition for this administration,” said Otter, who is currently being vetted by Trump’s administration as a candidate for agriculture secretary.
Protesters lined the halls of the Capitol hours before the meeting, with several dozen crowding into the governor’s ceremonial office.
They were given strict instructions by Otter not to disrupt the ceremony and were not allowed to hold their signs while the electors cast their ballots. Some attendees cheered, while others booed and asked the electors to protect Americans from fascism.
“Shame, shame, shame on all of you,” yelled Pam Chiaerella at the end of the ceremony before walking out of the room.
Idaho’s GOP electors are Beck of Boise, Skip Smyser of Parma, Caleb Lakey of Kuna, and Jennifer Locke of Coeur d’Alene.
The Electoral College formally elects the president, and each state has as many votes as members in Congress. A candidate must win 270 of the 538 votes to be elected. A candidate must win 270 of 538 electoral votes to be elected; all states’ electors met Monday.
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