Rep. Diaz to cast vote Today as Rhode Island presidential elector

STATE HOUSE – Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence) is one of four Rhode Island
presidential electors who will be casting a vote for president when the Electoral
College meets Monday, Dec. 19.
Federal law provides that the college must meet in their respective states on the
first Monday after the second Wednesday in December. Monday’s meeting will take
place at noon in the House chamber at the State House.
«It is a tremendous honor to serve as an elector on this historic occasion,» said
Representative Diaz. «This marks the first time in American history that a female
candidate will receive electoral votes for president. As a black and Latina woman, I
am proud to cast my vote Today.»
On Monday at noon, the Kentish Guards will escort Gov. Gina Raimondo, Secretary of
State Nellie Gorbea, the four electors, Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation and
any other dignitaries into the chamber of the House of Representatives to begin the
ceremony. The Ponaganset High School Chamber Chorus will sing the national anthem
and the Rev. Israel Mercedes will give the invocation.
Rhode Island voters chose to give the state’s four electoral votes to Hillary
Clinton, the first woman ever to be so honored. In addition to Representative Diaz,
the other electors are Frank J. Montanaro Sr., Clay Pell and L. Susan Weiner. All
electors are pledged to vote for Hillary Clinton for president and Tim Kaine for
vice president.
Electors will sign six separate copies of the Certificate of Vote. One copy will be
sent to the Vice President, two will be sent to the national archivist, two will be
retained by the Rhode Island secretary of state and one will be sent to the chief
judge of the U.S. District Court.
On Jan. 6, 2017, Vice President Joseph Biden will preside over a joint session of
Congress. The ballots of the electors from each state will be opened in alphabetical
order by state and read aloud to Congress.
The Secretary of State’s office shares responsibility for staging elections with
municipal boards of canvassers and the state Board of Elections. The Secretary of
State’s office prepares ballots, maintains the statewide voter registration
database, encourages voter registration and turnout and creates guides to running
for office and voting. The state Board of Elections oversees the delivery of
ballots, maintenance of voting equipment and training of poll workers. Local boards
of canvassers select polling places and poll workers.