Seven electors met at the state Capitol in Hartford and formally cast their votes today for Hillary Clinton, the winner of Connecticut's statewide election for president, and for U.S. Senator Tim Kaine for Vice President.
The group of electors gathered at noon in the state Senate chambers in Hartford, but one was not able to attend, so an alternate was sworn in.
Secretary of the State Denise Merrill presided over the vote.
"We are a divided nation, but we are a nation that prides itself on a peaceful transition of power," she said.
Electors in states where Republican Donald Trump won are expected to ultimately affirm his victory.
Outside the State Capitol in Hartford, more than 50 people are protesting, voicing concerns about the impending Electoral College vote.
While electors in Connecticut were expected to vote for Clinton, the protesters said they still felt the need to brave the cold and take a public stand, worried about Republican Donald Trump's suitability to become the next president of the U.S., as well as the alleged Russian interference with the election.
Dr. Carol Swenson, a Westport psychologist, held a sign urging electors to vote for "sanity." She calls Trump "a dangerous person" and says she felt the need to speak out because of the ramifications of a Trump presidency.
Trump won the electoral vote and Clinton won the nationwide popular vote.
“Something is going on in every state of the union throughout the day today as we step up to truly elect the president of the United States. This is the real Election Day and we’re doing so in a very troublesome time, nationally and internationally, and I cannot overemphasize the importance of what we do here today,” Bob Godfrey, chair of the Connecticut Electoral College, said.
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Then, he said he advocates abolishing the Electoral College and to go to a direct election of president, "as we do for every other elected official in the United States of America, right down to dog catchers."
After casting votes, the electors signed official documents, which will sent to the U.S. Archives and for the official record.
