News

Pennsylvania Electoral College Casts Votes for Trump-Vance Ticket

A Historic Moment for the Keystone State

On December 17, 2024, Pennsylvania’s Electoral College met in Harrisburg to officially cast its votes for the Trump-Vance ticket, marking a crucial step in the presidential election process. The electors gathered in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where they cast their votes for President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, after the state certified the 2024 election results.

Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt, who presided over the 60th Electoral College meeting in Pennsylvania, highlighted the state’s historical significance. “Pennsylvania played a momentous role in creating the representative democracy we celebrate today,” he remarked, underscoring the state’s long-standing involvement in the Electoral College process dating back to 1789.

Trump’s Victory in Pennsylvania

The atmosphere during this year’s Electoral College gathering stood in stark contrast to 2020, a year marked by political tension and the aftermath of the contested presidential race. This time, the event was peaceful and uncontroversial. Trump received 3,543,308 votes, or 50.37%, in Pennsylvania, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who secured 3,423,042 votes, or 48.66%.

Pennsylvania electoral college votes

Lawrence Tabas, the president of the Electoral College and chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican Party, noted the importance of Pennsylvania’s role in the outcome of the presidential race. “We are truly the Keystone State,” Tabas declared, acknowledging that the state once again played a pivotal role in deciding the national election. The remarks also highlighted the historical nature of Trump’s victory, marking only the second time in U.S. history that a president was elected to a second nonconsecutive term.

The Future of the Electoral College

As the electors cast their votes, there were reflections on the continuing relevance of the Electoral College, an institution that has faced growing criticism in recent years. While some critics argue that the Electoral College often overrides the will of the majority, electors like Pat Poprik, the vice president of the Pennsylvania Electoral College, defended its importance.

“It’s something that has survived over all the years, and it’s something we have to continue,” Poprik said. She also pushed back against calls to abolish the Electoral College in favor of a popular vote, warning that such a move could give larger states disproportionate power in presidential elections.

Poprik, who had been part of an alternate slate of electors in 2020, was vocal about her stance on preserving the institution. “We need to keep the Electoral College, so smaller states like Pennsylvania have a voice,” she asserted.

Trump’s Popular Vote Victory

Another milestone for Trump in the 2024 election was his popular vote victory in Pennsylvania, making him the first Republican candidate to win the state’s popular vote since 2004. This victory was significant not just for the state, but for the broader national political landscape.

Trump’s campaign is expected to focus heavily on issues such as national security, economic growth, and reducing inflation. Tabas emphasized that the president-elect’s policies will focus on improving safety, securing the border, and fostering a robust economy.

A Notable Absence

Governor Josh Shapiro was scheduled to address the gathering, but due to weather-related travel delays, he was unable to attend. In his absence, Secretary Schmidt delivered remarks on Shapiro’s behalf, underscoring the importance of Pennsylvania’s continuing tradition of self-government. Schmidt pointed out that Shapiro himself had participated in past Electoral College meetings, highlighting the state’s long-standing tradition of civic engagement.

This year’s meeting was notably less contentious than previous ones, especially compared to the events in 2020, when protests and challenges to the electoral process dominated the national conversation.

Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *