Yesterday, the members of the Electoral College met to case their votes for the winner of the presidential election in their respective states. Joe Biden, with 306 electoral votes to Donald Trump’s 232. 270 votes were needed to win. President-elect Biden received slightly more than Donald Trump did in 2016, when he garnered 304 electoral votes.
Utah’s six electors met and voted with little fuss. Those electoral votes when to Donald J. Trump, as the winner of Utah’s popular vote. Electors were voted in at the GOP virtual convention earlier this year. Former Congresswoman Mia Love replaced Sean Reyes as a presidential elector because Reyes is quarantining due to recent exposure to COVID-19 when he was in Washington D.C. last week.
A little piece of history for you: Utah was the first state fo have a woman as an elector. Margaret Zane Witcher was one of Utah’s electors in 1912 and she was the the first woman to deliver the votes the nation’s capitol. She was twice elected as the Salt Lake County Treasurer and later served as the Utah chair for the National Woman’s Party, actively advocating for women’s suffrage. Thanks to Better Days 2020 for reminding us of this proud Utah moment.
After Biden’s victory, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a congratulatory message to the President-elect and Vice-President-elect, saying in part:
“We congratulate President-elect Joe Biden on his election as President of the United States. We also congratulate Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
We invite people everywhere, whatever their political views, to join us in praying for this new administration and for leaders of nations around the world. Praying for those in public office has been a practice of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since its founding. The men and women who lead our nations and communities need our prayers.”
Senator Mitt Romney and Utah’s Governor-elect were among the first prominent Republicans to acknowlege Biden’s win and both did so right after election day. What was obvious on November 7th is now official. Congratulations President-elect Biden and Vice-President-elect Harris.
