Michigan’s 16 electors voted for President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris on Monday.
The process, which ordinarily flies under the radar, was in the national spotlight Monday following threats of violence and the closure of the Michigan State Capitol.
Only electors, select staff, and pooled press were allowed inside. Only a handful of protesters were gathered outside.
Elector Bobbie Walton from Genesee County says she was more watchful after the threats were made, but says this is an important step in confirming what the people want.
“I think it’s important for anybody to stand up and state the truth and the truth is that Joe Biden was legally elected to be the President in the state of Michigan,” Walton says.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer says after today, the results will be final and urged that the country needs to put the election behind it, so it can move forward and heal from COVID-19.
“Michigan has chosen a clear winner for the office of President of the United States and for every elected office up and down that ballot. The people have spoken. It was a safe, fair, and secure election,” Whitmer says.
Whitmer called doubts that have been raised by Republican lawmakers, “incredibly damaging to our democracy.”
Now, the certificates of election that the 16 electors signed will head to the national archivist and the President of the U.S. Senate before being sent to Congress, which will count the votes in early January.
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