SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Monday, 538 Electoral College members gathered in every state and Washington D.C. to cast their votes to confirm the outcome of the general election.
California’s electors traveled from across the state to meet on the Assembly floor of the state Capitol to cast their ballots. They gave President-elect Joe Biden all 55 votes, which allowed him to officially receive a majority of the Electoral College and clinch the presidency.
Mark Gonzalez, the Chairman of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, was chosen as one of California’s 55 electors. He says he was excited to have his voice heard and represent part of his hometown, the 34th Congressional District.
“To be chosen for this is a distinct honor that carries the vote on behalf of the people of my district and on behalf of California, and frankly the nation,” Gonzalez said.
According to the Constitution, each state’s electors must meet on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December. The number of electors is decided by the total number of seats each state has in Congress between the House of Representatives and the Senate.
California has the most of any state with 55 electoral votes.
Gonzalez felt proud to be one of these 55 electors representing California’s popular vote by casting his ballot for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
“This is the day where we make it completely official all across the country because it’s the electors who are the activists and the leaders who are casting their votes today,” Gonzalez explained.
While this same meeting happens every four years after a general election, this cycle the Electoral College has received extra attention since President Trump has refused to concede, despite Joe Biden winning the popular and electoral vote.
“It went to the highest court, at every level, they’ve done multiple recounts. I almost feel like Joe Biden keeps winning every single day. It’s great, it’s like Groundhog Day,” Gonzalez added.
In the final tally of Electoral College votes, Biden received 306 votes to Trump’s 232.
Gonzalez says he’s honored to have been chosen by his congressman, U.S. Representative Jimmy Gomez, to vote on behalf of the people in his diverse community.
“I’m a symbol of what this country is built on. I’m a symbol of what California stands for,” he said. “How we are built for the Latino community, for the young community, for the LGBTQ community, and I’m honored and grateful to be here to represent what America truly is about.”
Now that all of California’s 55 electoral votes have been cast for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, these ballots will be sent to Congress and counted during a joint session on January 6.
President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration is planned for January 20th.