in the historic old House chamber. Ah, location of significance in the history of our state. Today's event is no different and adds a new chapter to the history of this chamber. The electors who are gathered here today have studied the election laws of North Carolina as they pertain to presidential elections, and I know they come here ready to do their duties as citizen of the United States of America and the great state of North Carolina. Once the electors take their oath of office, they will elect their leadership and conduct the remainder of the meeting on their way. Our ceremonies today reflect a snapshot in time, that is, North Carolina in 2020. And the actions of the electors today will represent the will of the people of North Carolina, who voted in the presidential election in November as a reminder to maintain COVITZ safety protocols. In addition to the elements of today's event that air prerecorded to reduce the number of people in the chamber, we also have taken additional safety steps so that each elect collector has their own pen and were furnished with new Bibles, courtesy of the North Carolina Supreme Court. So In keeping with these protocols, we will enjoy a few musical selections from the course that need him. Brought in high school here in Raleigh, ah, little bit later in the broadcast from an excellent performance that was recorded late last year. Much of it was a commemorative event for the events of Pearl Harbor, which we just solemnly observed last week. Thes musical selections will be played while electors air signing the official certificates of Vote Later. We'll begin our ceremony today with the national anthem. The national anthem was pre recorded by Ju Renee Rayford. She's an outstanding singer and performer from Fayetteville and holds a degree in music education from East Carolina University with a concentration in classical voice. She holds various pageant titles in numerous talent awards, including first runner up in the 2019 Miss North Carolina pageant and winner of Preliminary Talent award that year. She currently teaches private voice and serves Annus assistant worship director at her church in Greenville. You're in for a trait. She's fantastic. Following the national anthem, representatives from North Carolina four h will join us virtually to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Many of you who know me know that four h has made a major part of my life since my early years, and I would not be worried. I am today without four age. These young people are our future leaders, and I'm so pleased that could pre record the Pledge of Allegiance for this event from four h. We have Chloe Allen, State four h president from Johnson County. Samantha Chord, Organ State four h. Vice president from Washington County, Sydney Law often state four h secretary treasurer from Davison County and Sydney Blair State Forest reporter from Brunswick County. I'm so proud of these four. And for the first time in North Carolina, four. H history. All four state officers are young women now. Will you please rise for the national anthem performed by Julian Rayford and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance led by our North Carolina for H officers and join in with them at the appropriate time? I was Are you see what's I've last? Who was brought? It's Yeah, it's right, my dream. So Sri stream. That's great. After tonight, I still yeah se stores is going. Attention salute. Pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. If you would please remain standing. Thank you is you're in a Rayford and state four h leaders. Now presiding Elder Reverend Dr Conrad K. Pridgen of Guilford County will join us virtually to give the invocation. Presiding Elder Pridgen is a native of Wilmington who graduated from Shawl University here in Raleigh before earning a master of divinity degree from Yale Divinity School. He has served as pastor of churches from Kinston to Charlotte to our nation's capital and currently serves as presiding elder in the western district of the Western North Carolina Conference of the Second Episcopal District of the A M E Church, beloved to let us pray, Oh God, our help in ages past our hope for years to come Our shelter from the stormy blast an hour eternal home. God, we first thank you for the poetic genius of Isaac Watts and his great him. And we come today confessing that we have not always done that which was pleasing in your holy site. We humbly ask for your forgiveness. We thank you. Even now for your grace, unmerited favor and your mercy towards us. We pray now for healing. For all those who have been infected with the covert 19, we pray for the complete eradication of this vicious virus. Comfort those who have lost loved ones to this virus. Restore lost income, renewed our hope. Replenish our joy and perfect us in your love. Thank you, Lord, for peaceful and orderly elections a few weeks ago and grant that today's proceedings would be characterized by the same piece and order. Thank you, dear God, for letting us witness the demonstration of a working democracy. Help these electors here assemble to cast their ballots and fidelity to the will of the people of the great state of North Carolina. And infidelity to your own holy will undertake to God this entire process so that it will bring glory to your holy name. All this we pray in the matchless and mighty and holy name of Jesus, our savior and Lord. And for hiss safe, we pray. Amen. Thank you. Presiding Elder Pridgen, You may be seated now as we prepare to begin the voting process for the North Carolina Electoral College. I'd like to mention a few key facts about this process. Meetings of the 58th Electoral College are being held across the nation right now. Each state is holding a separate meeting, but they all meet today. It was decided long ago. Toe have these meetings separately versus having all of the state representatives goto one single Electoral College convention in North Carolina. Electors cannot be powerful public officials. In fact, if you are an officeholder, otherwise you cannot serve as an elector. To become an elector, you must be a citizen who is over 21 years of age, indelible to vote. You need to offer your name to the political party for consideration. Generally, the political parties pick their slate of Elektra nominees at their annual political conventions. In presidential years, every state has a formally set number of votes. They include two overall votes, like US Senate seats and the same number of Congressional district the state has for North Carolina. This equals 15 total electoral votes. Finally, at the end of today's Electoral College meetings, the votes will be recorded and sent to Washington, D. C. I will just add a personal reflection on today is a part of a larger process that included the campaign season, the election and the inauguration to come next month. As we gather in state capitals across this great nation today to record electors votes, we must resolve to unite and do the rial work of democracy as office holders, as citizens, as Americans in the days, months and years ahead. No matter our political stripes, we all want the United States of America to be the greatest nation in the world. The heavy lifting to make that reality is still ahead of us. The Electoral College represents a proud history of citizens peacefully passing our presidential power from one term in office to the next. For those of you watching on television or on a computer or other device, you're getting a virtual front seat at democracy. For students across the state, this is a tremendous riel time civics lessons that brings our rich history and our present day together. Justus important as learning about the history theological colleges viewed by me and others as the opportunity to shape the future as elected public officials as citizens of North Carolina and the United States to recommit ourselves to work together for the good of the state and the country as we face persistent and daunting global pandemic and an economy in need of recovery. Sometimes you have to look outside the political arena for solid advice and guidance on teamwork and collaboration. Legendary entrepreneur and innovator Henry Ford knew its power, he said. Quote. If everyone is moving forward together, then success can take care of itself. End quote. The power of uniting has been echoed through the halls of our institutions for hundreds of years and President Dwight Eisenhower's second inaugural speech, he said. Quote one truth must rule. All we think and all we do the unity of all who dwell in freedom is their only sure defense. End quote. More currently, four years ago and seeking to unite Americans, President Obama said this about Presidents Trump victory quote. We want all want what's best for this country and that's what I heard when I spoke to him directly and I was heartened by that. That's what this country needs, a sense of unity, a sense of inclusion, a respect for institutions, our way of life, rule of law and respect for each other. Close quote. After all, the Electoral College itself is a system born of compromise. As many political scientists have pointed out, the Electoral College was never intended to be a perfect system for picking a president. The system we still use today, with some modifications, was born out of a multitude of political differences at the time. The Electoral College we experience in 2020 may remain for another 200 plus years or as permitted under the Constitution. It may change by the next presidential election. No matter what happens, a peaceful form for transferring political power must endure as we work together for a stronger state and towards a more perfect union. Now, I would like to introduce our electors to this gathering. The 15 Republican electors were called the Rally and have assembled here to cast North Carolina's 15 electoral votes for president and vice president. As I introduce each elector, would you please stand and remain standing until after the oath is administered? Will begin with our two at large electors. Electorate at large. Michelle, A mix of Atlantic Beach Electorate large Michael D. Widely of Gastonia, now to our district electors, elector from the First District Thomas. William Hill of Gates. Elector's Second District. Edwin L. Gavin, The second of Sanford Electra Third District. Dave Wickersham of Arapahoe Electra, fourth District, Angie Cut, Lip of Window Elector, fifth District. Jonathan L. Fletcher of Gastonia, Electra, sixth District. Tina Forsberg of Greensboro, Elector Seventh District. Chauncey Lambeth of Wilmington, Elector, eighth District. Susan Mills of Fayetteville Elector, ninth District. Daniel Bradford, Barry of Weddington Electra, 10th District. Danny W. Over Cash of Statesville Elector, 11th District. Mark Delk of Asheville, Electra 12th District. Melissa Bell, Taylor Electra, 13th District. Blake E. Williams of Medvene, Thank you. It's now my pleasure to ask Sherry Beasley, chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, to administer the oath of office to the members of the Electoral College. Justice basically has served the people of North Carolina through an exemplary legal career. She has served on the state's highest court since 2012 and was named chief justice in March of 2019, becoming the first African American woman to service chief justice Justice. Beasley also served four years and associate justice on the North Carolina Court of Appeals and was a district court judge for a decade in the 12th Judicial District in Cumberland County. Chief Justice Beazley, will you please administer the oath of office Secretary Marshall and teach each of you distinguished guests? It's truly my honor and pleasure to administer the oath of Elector today on this beautiful historic day. Please place your left hand on the Bible and raise your rights. Does each of you solemnly and sincerely swear that you will support the constitution of the United States and that you will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the state of North Carolina and to the constitutional powers and authorities which are or may be established for the government thereof, and that you will endeavor to support, maintain and defend the Constitution of set state not inconsistent with the constitution of the United States to the best of your knowledge and ability. And do you further swear that you will well and truly execute the duties of your Office of Elector of the President and Vice President of the United States for the state of North Carolina to the best of your knowledge, skill and ability according to law, so help you God. Congratulations. The best wishes on your work you may be seated the oath. Having been administered, Electoral College will now select its officers and proceed with business. I opened the floor for the nomination of a president for the Electoral College. I recognizing Elector Dave Wickersham of the third District for the purpose of nominating an elector for the office of President of the Electoral College. Thank you, Madam Secretary. I nominate elect our Mark Delk from the 11th district to be president of the 58 North Carolina Electoral College. I would like to offer a couple of comments if I may. I first met Mark four years ago when we did the same thing and we served in Electoral College together. Mark brings the respect, the dignity and the decorum. Be fitting the position of President of the Electoral College. He is, ah, hard working North Carolinian in his community, in his profession and in the Republican Party. We are fortunate, I believe, to have him repeat as president of the Electoral College. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen of the college You have heard the nomination of Elector Mark Delk of the 11th District for president of College. Do I hear a second? The chair recognizes Tina Forsberg of the Sixth District. Thank you, Madam Secretary. It is my pleasure to second the nomination of Mark Delk from the 11th District to preside over this 58 Electoral College. I also had the pleasure of working with Mr Delk at the last electoral college. I know him to be, Ah, humble man. Ah, family man learned on the Electoral College, and it is my pleasure to second his nomination. Are there any other nominations hearing? None. Is there a motion to close the nominations? So, in a second, all in favor of closing the nominations vote I. Those opposed say nay, the eyes have it. And the nominations air closed. All those in favor of the election of Mark Delk of the 11th District so signify by saying aye, all opposed. Nay. The eyes have it. Elector Mark Delk of the 11th District will become the president unanimously of the 58th Electoral College. I asked that Elector dealt. Please step up and take this position to preside over the remainder of the meeting. All right. Thank you, Madam Secretary. I am indeed humbled and honored to be elected as president of the 58 Electoral College of the Great State of North Carolina. We do have business to attend to. And so we're now on with our business. And the first order of business is thesis election of a secretary to record these proceedings. The floor is now open for the nomination of a secretary of the Electoral College. For this purpose, I would like to nominate Daniel Bradford Barry of the ninth District for the Secretary of the College. Thank you. I recognize Melissa Bell Taylor, the honorable elector for the 12th District. We, however, will need a second also for the motion. And for that purpose, I enquire, is there a second to the motion? All right. I've recognized Ed Gavin for the purpose of seconding the nomination of Daniel Bradford. Very Mr President, I I like to second the nomination of Daniel Bradford buried to be the secretary of the Electoral College. Thank you. Are there further nominations for the position of Secretary of the Electoral College hearing? None emotion would be in order to close the nomination. Hi record. I recognized the honorable Elector Black Williams as making the motion in the Honorable Electra. Jonathan Fletcher for second all in favor of closing the nominations at this time will signify by saying, Aye, those opposed like sign the eyes have it and the nominations are closed. All those in favor of electing Daniel Bradford Barry as secretary of the 58 Electoral College of the State of North Carolina will signify by saying Aye, yeah, those opposed like sign the eyes have it. And Daniel Bradford very has been elected secretary of the 58 Electoral College. If you'll step up to the lower podium, please, Mr. Secretary, I now recognize the honorable Tina Forests Berg for the purpose off nominating our vice presidential and presidential tellers. Thank you, Mr President. It is my honor to nominate for President Teller Susan Mills of the Eighth District and for Vice President Teller, and she cut lip of the fourth District. Very good. You have heard the nomination of Electoral Susan, males of the Eighth District, as presidential teller and Angie cut lip of the fourth District for the position of vice presidential teller. Do I hear a second? Second? Michelle Nix. I nominate Susan Mills of the Ace District to be the presidential teller and Angie Cutlet of the Fourth district to be the vice presidential teller. Very good. At this point, the chair would inquire if there are further nominations. Hearing none emotion would be in order to close nominations at this time. Chair recognizes theon arable, Blake Williams for the motion and the honorable Thomas Hill for the second of the motion. All in favor of closing nominations would signify by saying, Aye, all those opposed like Sign the eyes have it, and the nominations were closed. All those in favor of electing these electors as presidential teller and vice presidential teller will signify by saying, Aye, those opposed like Sign the eyes have it. Susan Mills of the eighth District has been selected as the presidential teller, and Angie Cut Lip of the fourth District has been selected to serve as the vice presidential teller. Now, in prior years, we would ask both tellers to sit at the lower podium, but this year, for social distancing purposes, we're going to do this a little differently. We're going to ask the presidential teller to take her place at the lower podium, followed by the vice presidential teller after the balloting for president is complete. Ah, madam, tell her if you will approach the lower program, please. The Electoral College of the state of North Carolina has now been duly organized and it is now our duty to begin the balloting for President and Vice President of the United States of America. We will begin in a moment. However, before that happens, I want to take just a moment to recognize our alternate. Our first alternate, Brenda Grub Rembert is with us today. Alternates join us in case they're needed to step in and take the place of one of our 15 presidential electors. We do have an additional order of business. However, our second alternate cannot be here today, so our electors will need to vote on a replacement. The floor is now open for the nomination of a second alternate. And for this purpose, I recognized the Honorable Electra. Michael D. Watley. Mr. President, it is my honor and distinction Teoh be able to nominate and Marie Yates of Watauga County to be the second alternate. Thank you. Mr Watley, You have heard the nomination of Anne Marie Yates for second alternate. Do I hear a second? The chair recognizes Susan Mills for this purpose. It is my pleasure to second the nomination of memory Yates for alternate. Are there further nominations? Hearing none emotion would be in order to close nominations at this time. The chair recognizes that Melissa Taylor has moved to close the nomination, and Ed Gavin has seconded that motion. All in favor of closing the nominations this time will signify by saying Aye, and those opposed, like Sign the eyes, have it on the nominations. Air closed. All those in favor of electing Anne Marie Yates is our second alternate will signify by saying, Aye, those opposed. Nay, the eyes have it. Anne Marie Yates has been duly elected, as our second alternate are, alternates will only be sworn in as electors should there be a vacancy among the 15 electors. Next, we will begin the balloting for president of the United States of America. I would like to recognize Michael D. Watley on at Large, a collector for the purpose of making this nomination. Mr. President, it is my distinct honor and high privilege on behalf of the voters of North Carolina to place the name of Donald John Trump into nomination for president of the United States. Thank you, Elektrowatt Lee Is there a second to the nomination of Donald John Trump? As president of the United States of America, I now recognize the honorable elector Michelle Nix for the purpose of making the second. Thank you, Mr President, I second the nomination for Donald J. Trump to be our president of these United States of America. Long live our republic. Thank you, madam Electorate. Are there further nominations hearing? None. The nominations would be closed at this time if we have emotion to do that. Okay? Emotion has been made and properly seconded. To close the nominations, the balloting will proceed for President of the United States of America were required to have a written ballot for this vote with the presidential teller obtained from the secretary and pass to each elector. One of the ballots. Electors, it is your duty to mark the ballot for President of the United States of America by writing the name of the candidate on the line provided it is further your duty to sign the ballot. Madam, tell her if our balloting is completed. Madam Teller, would you please collect the presidential ballots from the electors? Okay. Thank you, Madam Teller. It is now your duty to count the ballots with the assistance of the Secretary. Susan, it is now your duty to announce the votes value. Have you know, the electoral votes of the state of North Carolina have been cast on this 14th day of December 2020 by the 15th North Carolina Republican electors. And all 15 votes are for Donald J. Trump for President of the United States. The Elect. Yeah, people. Mhm. The Electoral College votes have been taken for the President of the United States of America, and the floor is now open for nomination of the vice president of the United States of America. For this purpose, I recognized the honorable Jonathan L. Fletcher of the Fifth District. Mr Fletcher. Thank you, Mr President. In representing the great county of Gaston and the Fifth Congressional District of North Carolina, I rise to nominate Michael Richard Pence as vice President of our beautiful republic, the United States of America. Thank you, Mr Fletcher. I recognized the Honorable Elector Thomas William Hill of the first District for the purpose of seconding the nomination. Yes, sir. Mr President, the Electoral College is important for our nation that we have a strong president in the U. S. Senate, both in strength while presiding as executive and as a legislator in breaking any ties that may occur in our federal Senate chamber. His job is as a unifier for our nation and a leader for the judicial appointments. Unlike our state of North Carolina, where we elect our judges such as but not limited to Chief Justice elect Paul Newby, it is for these reasons of strength and unification. I second the motion of a of the continuation for Vice President Mike Pence to support President Trump and all duties necessary. Thank you, Mr President. Thank you, Mr Hill. Are there further nominations for the office of Vice president of the United States of America? Hearing none emotion would be in order to close nominations at this time. Emotion has been made in properly seconded and nominations. We will now proceed to vote on closing the nominations. All in favor of closing nominations for vice president signify by saying aye, all opposed like sign. The balloting will proceed for vice president of the United States of America with the vice presidential teller approach. The lower podium, please, with the vice presidential teller obtained ballots from the secretary and distribute one to each of our electors here assembled electors again. It is your duty to mark your ballot with the name of the candidate in the space provided it is further your duty to sign your ballot if our balloting is completed, Madam Teller, if you will collect the ballots from each of the electors, Madam, tell her at this time, having received the ballots, it is your duty to count the ballots with the assistance of the secretary again. The electoral votes of the state of North Carolina have been cast on this 14th day of December 2020 by the 15 North Carolina Republican electors. And all 15 votes are for Mike Pence for vice President of the United States of America. Thank you. Yeah. Ladies and gentlemen, that are host Our Secretary of State, Elaine Marshall, has graciously provided us with certificates of votes which are arrayed on the lower table in front of the lower podium. To comply with social distancing protocols. We will ask each elector to proceed one by one to sign and complete the set of six certificates of vote. Now, while we are In the process of signing these six certificates of vote, we will hear some prerecorded musical selections from the Broaden High School chorus. It was our pleasure to hear from the in person in 2016. I'm sure you'll enjoy the pre recorded music almost a much now, after we're through. This will not be the end of our meeting. We will have Thio complete the signing and there will be other business. So Well, listen to the music at this time, okay? That's yeah. No, that's right. Yeah, you know, Yeah. On a more. Yeah. Yeah. Well, hi. Yeah, Okay. Me? I don't know. Yeah. Yeah. So freedom. Yeah, I wanted freedom chores. He my lord. Uh huh. Mhm. Yeah, Yeah. Three. A lot of Yeah, right. This is Yeah. Right around. Mhm. Yeah. Freedom. Okay. What? Right. Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, I want to take this opportunity to personally thank the staff here A to the state capital Secretary Marshal's Office. I want to thank Chief Justice Beasley for her hospitality to us today. And I also want to thank the Republican Party for coordinating this very important important meeting of the North Carolina Republican electors and allowing us to do our duty for the state and the people of the great state of North Carolina. Having said that at this time, do I hear a motion to adjourn? I recognized the honorable elector Dave Wickersham for the purpose of such emotion. Mr. President, I move. We adjourned the 58 North Carolina Electoral College. Such emotion has been made. It requires a second at this time I recognized the honorable Danny over cash. Mr. President, I moved to second the motion to adjourn this 58th North Carolina Electoral College. Thank you, Mr Education. The motion has been made in properly seconded. It is not debatable and requires an immediate vote at this time. All those in favor of adjourning the business of the Electoral College. The 58th Electoral College for the great state of North Carolina will signify by saying hi and those opposed, like sign. We do have the opportunity to hear again from Secretary Marshall, and I will turn the podium over to her at this time. Ladies and gentlemen of the Electoral College, the people of North Carolina Thank you for your service today. I want to thank all the other participants as well and everyone watching the livestream in this meeting across the state and around the world. I want to thank all of the staff from my office, the Republican Party, the governor's office, the chief justice office, the Attorney General's office in the state capital staff for making today possible. As we end our proceedings today, I will ask staff and other program participants to exit the house chamber first. So our electors gonna have a chance to take some photos after we conclude if they wish to. Our participants please travel safely as you leave here today and have a wonderful holiday season. Please stay safe and healthy. Thank you. Meeting adjourned. Yeah. Can you get