(The Center Square) – Illinois electors will officially cast all 19 Electoral College votes for Vice President Kamala Harris Tuesday in Springfield.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias explained the Electoral College during a news conference Monday in Chicago.
“I apologize in advance, I don’t have the School House Rocks skills to turn this into a catchy song, so please bear with me but here it goes,” he said.
Giannoulias said the U.S. Constitution lays out that the president of the United States is elected by the Electoral College which is a group of electors from each state. The number of electors depends on the number of congressmen. Illinois is a winner-takes-all state.
“For example, while Kamala Harris and Tim Walz did not win every Illinois constitutional district, they will receive the votes from all 19 Democratic electors because their ticket won the overall total in Illinois,” he said.
Giannoulias is tasked with certifying the vote. He said it’s going to be a special day.
“I encourage anyone and everyone who’s able to be there in Springfield tomorrow to come and witness and be a part of history,” he said.
One thing visitors to the capitol in Springfield will notice is enhanced security. As the custodian of the capitol complex, Giannoulias said the Secretary of State is responsible for security. Last month, his office announced, with few exceptions, everyone entering the capitol in Springfield will be screened.
“I wish it weren’t the case. I wish we didn’t even have to have metal detectors or security screenings at the capitol and the capitol complex, but we live in a world where that is required,” he said.
The Electoral College ceremony is set to begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Room 212 at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield.
While Harris took Illinois, President-elect Donald Trump captured the majority of the Electoral College and the national popular vote. Trump will be inaugurated Jan. 20.