Virginia's Electors Cast Votes For President

RICHMOND, VA — After the presidential election results were certified in Virginia, the state's 13 electors met Monday in the Virginia House of Delegates chamber to cast their votes for president and vice president.

All 13 electors cast their votes for President-Elect Joe Biden, and all 13 votes for vice president went to Biden's running mate, Kamala Harris.

The vote follows the State Board of Elections voting to certify the election results in Virginia on Nov. 16. According to official results, the Biden and Harris ticket received 54.11 percent of votes in Virginia, while President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence received 44 percent of votes. Gov. Ralph Northam signed the certificate of ascertainment on Dec. 8.

All 538 electors in the Electoral College are voting Monday in line with how their state voted. This vote follows weeks court battles questioning the legitimacy of Biden's victory over Trump. In the latest high-profile lawsuit, Texas and 17 other states asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene. The case was dismissed on Friday, however. Trump has not yet conceded.

Who is involved

The Electoral College is comprised of 538 electors in the U.S. These delegates pledge to cast their ballot in line with how their state voted.

There are some rare exceptions. So-called "faithless electors" have occurred in the past, as only 32 states have laws preventing electors from changing their vote. However, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in July that states have the power to make committed votes binding.

Electors fit no single mold: They're politicians both past and present, state legislators, party operatives, campaign directors and more. They're picked by the winning party.

The entirety of the Electoral College does not meet together. Each state's electors will meet in their state capitol to cast their votes for president.

Where to watch it

Virginia's electors met Monday at noon. The livestream of the event has ended, but check back for a recording at this link.

SEE ALSO: Electoral College Meets: Follow Live Vote Totals In Key States

Virginia's 2020 electors

Virginia's number of electors is based on the total number of U.S. representatives and senators from Virginia.

These are Virginia's electors in 2020:

• Matthew D. Rowe
• Barbara H. Klear
• Clinton L. Jenkins
• Kimberly M. Dieber
• Cyliene R. Montgomery
• Leah V. Pence
• Robert A. Martin
• Charles C. Hines
• Karen B. Combs
• Ellen Scott
• Suchada V. Langley
• Margo E. Horner
• Susan R. Swecker

What's next

Two more major steps follow Virginia's Monday vote.

On Jan. 6, 2020, a special joint session of the U.S. Congress will formally count the votes. Vice President Pence will preside over the meeting. On Jan. 20, 2020 at noon, Biden will formally be inaugurated as the next president.

Patch Field Editor Justin Heinze contributed reporting to this article.