in the same with trump and i would like to know, i know you do not answer questions. how many of the last seven or eight elections have the republicans won the popular vote and not the electoral college? thank you and have a happy holiday. host: gretchen in new york. don in michigan, independent. caller: good morning. i am for keeping the electoral college. there are a couple of reasons. eliminate theo electoral college, eventually you might just eliminate state borders because it is going to become just a government of a true democracy instead of a republic, as what we have here and which we enjoy. supposingreason is, you come to an election that is very, very close, that would

result in a nationwide recount. orry precinct may have one two votes that could go one way or the other which, totaled nationally, could greatly swing the election one way or another. states, the laws of the united states, and the loss of the great state of michigan, the 2020 meeting of the electoral college is now convened and brought to order. please rise for the pledge of allegiance led by the presented from the 14th congressional district, jill tate. 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. thank you, representative

tate. please her main standing for the national anthem either the turner sisters. see, i the can you , what soly light hailed at the , whoset's last gleaming starsstripes and bright fight, the perilous

watched,ramparts we streaming.lantly , thehe rockets red glare bombs bursting in air, gave , thatthrough the night our flag was still there. say, does that star-spangled o'er the landve

of the free and the home of the brave? ♪ [harmonizing] the brave. ♪ [applause] >> ♪ lift ev'ry voice and sing 'til earth and heaven ring ring with the harmonies of liberty.

let our rejoicing rise high as the glist'ning skies let it resound loud as the rolling sea. sing a song for of the hope that that darkness has parted. the faithg, full of that the present has brought us facing the rising sun

of our new day begun, let us march on 'til victory is won. let us march on 'til victory is won. ♪ [applause] >>. thank you. pleaser made standing for invocations. the first by rabbi alicia harris of the congregation from troy, michigan. of light, we are grateful for the rights and privilege to vote, expressing

our voices in this way was not always allowed for so many of us in this country. our ancestors fought for this freedom. we thank you for giving the people of this country a voice in this election. this is a challenging season for us and we are grateful to be moving forward, and even more grateful that the people of michigan made it clear, this is no place for hatred, bigotry, xenophobia, or racism. with thehe -- beat with the- be electors as they finalize the vote for joe biden and kamala harris. that you be with president biden and vice president harris as they begin this journey. when they find purpose in the work they do. may they find ways to unify this country.

maybe protect all of our citizens, especially the most vulnerable. and they to be wise and thoughtful in their governance. be with all of the people throughout this land who are fighting covid-19. keep us healthy and safe. help us feel loved. and bring us peace. amen. thank you, rabbi harris. indication by the imam from dearborn heights, michigan. [speaking foreign language] peace be upon you all. [chanting prayer]

in your name, o lord, the lord , liberation, and wisdom. o lord, our nation is approaching that new year of 2021. with a newa new year administration, a new morning. a new journey for america. please, o lord, bless our nation , for the historic participation in the november 3 election, and

for defending our democracy and the direction of our country, for years to come. please bless the electoral michiganf the state of , and the capital of any other capitol of any other states meeting this monday to finalize the election of this new administration. o lord, please bless our country's new president elect, joe biden. ,nd vice president elect kamala harris. to go through this transition safely and successfully. nation is still

suffering. our nation still is suffering from this painful pandemic. 300,000. over 300,000 deaths. 9/11's in over 100 one year. so painful. please strengthen our new administration to be a source of .ealing a source of fast recovery, of not only coronavirus. other [inaudible] racial, cultural, or political pandemics, that may target or threat, the unity, the

thedarity, and security, of united states. o lord, please protect our new leaders. americanthem to be ambassadors of diplomacy, , peace, and justice, freedom and dignity, for humanity. for our nation and our world. [speaking foreign language] >> thank you, imam. everyone, you may be seated.

i now ask the honorable jocelyn benson, secretary of state and chief election officer of the state of michigan please stand and be recognized. [applause] thank you, secretary benson. generalask the attorney , dan nestle, to please stand and be recognized. [applause] ask the honorable bridget mary mccormick, chief justice of the michigan state supreme court to stand and be recognized. [applause] thank you, two secretary and send, attorney general nestle and chief justice mccormick for being here today and for your exemplary service to the people of the great state of michigan.

i would now ask that the honorable gretchen whitmer, governor of the state of michigan, please come forward to address the electors. [applause] [cheers] [applause] thank you.r: thank you. thank you, lieutenant governor gilchrest. thank you attorney general nestle. state attorney general benson, and chief justice mccormick, for being here today. this was truly historic election, during the worst public health crisis we have seen in our lifetimes. michiganders everywhere made a plan, to ensure that their voices were heard in november. a record-breaking 5.5 million

michiganders cast their ballots for president. united states senate. congress. and state and local races. our secretary state, jocelyn benson, and her team, work 20 47 to ensure a fair -- worked 24/7, to ensure a fair, a secure, and an accurate election. and they succeeded. [applause] likewise, our attorney general and her team, have worked tirelessly to protect the vote. [applause] and our election workers, and local clerks, stepped up, and did their part to ensure everyone's voice was heard. [applause] today, michigan's 16 electors

will vote to finalize michigan's election results. and i want to thank each and every one of you for traveling here today, to perform your patriotic duty, on our behalf. our american democracy was founded on the principle of majority rule. 5.5 million people from all walks of life, from all 83 counties of our state, republicans and democrats and independents, cast their vote, this past november. a clear has chosen winner for the office of president of the united states, and for every elected office up and down that ballot. the people have spoken. it was a safe, fair, and secure election. it was the kind of election our founding fathers envisioned, when they created this democracy, and built this country. and after today, the results

will the final. it is time to move forward, together, as when united states of america. now is the time for us to put this election behind us, and to focus our efforts together, to defeat our common enemy, covid-19. over the weekend, the first shipment of the fda approved pfizer vaccine left portage, michigan. [applause] [cheers] here, in the state, built on innovation and grant. -- and grit. covidfe, effective vaccine is be manufactured by michigan workers at a michigan business, to save the lives of americans everywhere. our state is at the center of the world right now, in a good way. and fedex and ups came together to help distribute this

lifesaving vaccine, putting aside their competitive nature, for the common good. if they can do it, i think republicans and democrats can do it too. no matter your party, no matter who you cast your ballot for, we all have a personal stake, in defeating and eradicating this virus together. so we must stay smart. we must mask up. we must get to work. but at this juncture we have more work to do right here. as such, nominations are now in order for the office of chairperson of the 2020 presidential electoral college. i'm going to do chuck browning, elector at large, for the purpose of a nomination. thank you, governor whitmer. i nominate the honorable garland

gilchrest, lieutenant governor and president of the michigan senate, as chairperson of the 2020 electoral college. gov. whitmer: thank you, chuck. ofecognize carolyn howling the 10th congressional district for the purpose of seconding the nomination. i second the nomination. gov. whitmer: thank you, carolyn. seconded the nomination. are there any other nominations? hearing on, i call for a vote. all in favor of lieutenant governor garland gilchrest as chairperson of the 2020 presidential electoral college, south signify by saying, aye. [group] aye. it.'s have

lieutenant governor garland gilchrest is unanimously elected as the chair of the 2020 electoral college. please take the helm and preside over the meeting of our electors. thank you and congratulations. >> thank you, governor whitmer. and thank you electors. now i would like to appoint state representative tate as secretary. i would also like to appoint levar apart as the -- lavora barnes as the sergeant at arm's. of role of official electors the vice president president of the united states will now be called. indicate your presence by rising and stating, here, when your name is called. the first congressional district, chris. here. from the second congressional

district, timothy eastman? >> here. >> from a third congressional district, blake. here. >> third congressional district, bonnie. >> here. >> fifth congressional district, walton. >> here. >> six congressional district, miller. here. >> 70 congressional district, would. >> here. >> a congressional district, smith. here. district,ongressional walter. it appears that walter c heard the third is unable to attend. so this position is vacant. for the fifth congressional district, carolyn. >> here. >> 11 congressional district, susan nichols.

>> here. >> 12 congressional district, stephen. >> here. >> 13th congressional district, helen moore. >> here. >> 14th congressional district, weikel kerwin. >> here. >> at large, chuck browning. >> here. >> at large, alan. >> here. >> at this time, i would like to introduce the honorable bridget mary mccormick, chief justice of the michigan supreme court, for the purpose of administering the ,ath of office to the electors for the electors of president and vice president of the united states. justice mccormick? [applause] >> thank you, lieutenant governor gilchrest. electors were present in vice president of the united states will rise.

now you can hear me, right? thank you, lieutenant governor gilchrest and representative tate. the electors have all stood up. that is where you're supposed to be. please raise your right hand and repeat after me. that i willy swear support the constitution of the united states. >>[repeating] >> and the state of michigan. and that i will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of elector of president and vice president of the united states. >>[repeating] according to the best of my ability. >> [repeating] >> you may be seated and please take this opportunity to sign the written oath of office on your desk.

>> thank you, justice mccormick. i know asked the sergeant at arms, please collect the oath of office documents.

thank you, everyone. there is a vacancy in the office of elector of president and vice president of the united states. so under michigan law we must proceed to fill the vacancy i ballot by a plurality of votes. nominations are now in order to fill the vacancy in the office of elector of president and vice president of the united states. i recognize susan nichols of the 11th congressional district for the purpose of a nomination.

nominate sharon basement of the night congressional district to fill that vacancy of the office of the elector of president and vice president of the united states. >> thank you. ofi recognize bobby walton the fifth congressional district for the purpose of seconding the nomination. >> i second the nomination. lt. gov. gilchrest: thank you. ms. nichols and ms. walton. are there any other nominations to fill the vacancy of the office of elector of president and vice president of the united states? hearing nine, i call for a vote by ballot to facilitate the budding call upon the sergeant at arms to assist with the distribution of ballots.

please indicate your vote on the ballot by writing in that name baseman.minee, sharon

please also print your name under the signature. i would ask the sergeant at arm's to collect the ballots for the purpose of tallying them.

lieutenant govern gill cress: sharon baker received 15 votes to be elector of the president and vice president of the united states and is selected as an

elector and will be seat aid among the electors. lt. gov. gilchrest: just so i don't get left out of signing the order, l sign and secretary, your signature is also required.

lt. gov. gilchrest: it is knew time to sign the certificate of election for sharon baseman. the sergeant at arms will provide each of you with the certificate in turn, please remain seated while we proceed ith the signing. chris cabiello. imothy e. smith.

blake naverk. bonnie j. lowell.

>> bobby walton. mark edward miller.

connor loeb. robin smith.

susan nichols. steven rzeppa.

helen moore. ichael kerwin.

marseille allen. huck browning.

i rebro deuce the chief justice for the purpose of readministering the oath of ffice to sharon baseman. >> thank you. ms. baseman, please rise. repeat after the. i do solemnly swear i will support the constitution of the united states. >> i do solemnly swear i will support the constitution of the united states. >> and the state of michigan and i will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of elector of president and vice president f the united states.

of the office of elector. of president and vice president of the united states. according to the best of my ability. you may be seated and please take this opportunity to sign the written oath of office that is at your desk. [applause] lt. gov. gilchrest: thank you, justice mccor him. with the vacancy in the office of elector of president and vice president of the united states now filled, the electors will do their duty according to the laws of the united states, an laws of the great state of michiganful nominations are now in order for

honorary chairpersons. i recognize connor wood of the seventh congressional district for the purpose of nominations. >> i nominate the following as honorary chairperson os they have 2020 electoral college. the honorable gretchen whitmer, the honorable debbie stabenow, united states senator and the honorable gary peters, united states senator. lt. gov. gilchrest: thank you. i recognize helen moore of the 13th congressional district for the purposes of seconding the nominations. >> i second the nominations. lt. gov. gilchrest: are there other nominations? hearing none, all those in favor of nominating the honorary chairpersons will signify this

by saying aye. aye. lt. gov. gilchrest: all opposed will signify by saying nay. governor gretchen whitmer, senator debbie stabenow and senator gary peters are elected as honorary chairperson os they have 2020 electoral college. the electoral college convened it is now in nominate. i recognize michael kerwin for the purpose of a nomination. >> i nominate joe bide northwestern office of president of the united states. -- joe biden for the office of

president of the united states. lt. gov. gilchrest: thank you, mr. kerwin. i recognize robin smith of the eighth congressional district for the preponderance of seconding the nomination. >> mr. chairman, i second the nomination of joe biden for the office of the president of the united states. lt. gov. gilchrest: thank you. are there any other nominations for the office of president of the united states. hearing none, the electors will vote by ballot. to facilitate this voting i would like to call upon the sergeant at arms to please step forward and distribute ballots for the office of president of the united states to the lectors. please indicate your vote by signing in the space provided.

lt. gov. gilchrest: the sergeant at arms will collect the ballots for the pup of tallying the votes.

lt. gov. gilchrest: sergeant at arms has the tally been completed? >> the electors have unanimously cast 16 votes for joseph r. biden. [applause]

lt. gov. gilchrest: nominations are now in order for the office of vice president of the united states. i recognize marseille allen, elector at large, for purposes of the election. >> i nominate kamala harris for office of vice president of the united states. lt. gov. gilchrest: thank you, elector allen. of thenize blake mazurek third congressional district for the pup of seconding the nomination. >> mr. chairman, it is my honor to second the nomination of kamala harris for the office of vice president of the united states. lt. gov. gilchrest: are there any other nominationers in office of vice president of the united states? hearing none, the electors will gain vote by ballot.

to facilitate voting i would like to call on the sergeant at arms to distribute ballots for the office of vice president of the united states to the lectors.

lt. gov. gilchrest: the sergeant at arms will collect the ballots for the purpose of tabulating the vote.

lt. gov. gilchrest: the sergeant at arms, as the vote been tallied? >> yes, the electors have unanimously cast 16 votes for kamala harris. [applause] lt. gov. gilchrest: kamala harris has received all 16 electoral votes from the state of michigan. it is now time to sign the

certificate of votes for president and vice president. each elector must sign each of the six certificates to certify the vote for joe biden for the office of president united states and kamala harris for the office of vice president of the united states. the sergeant at arms will provide each of you with with the six certificates in turn, please remain seated while we roceed with the signing. hris cracchiolo.

imothy e. smith.

blake mazurek. onnie j. lauria.

bobbie walton.

ark edward miller.

connor wood. robin smith.

haron baseman.

arolyn holley.

susan nichols. steven rzeppa.

helen moore. ichael kerwin.

marseille allen. chuck browning.

lt. gov. gilchrest: thank you. the 2020 electoral college will send one certificate of reg -- by registered mail to the novet united states senate. one will be sent to robert j. i don't thinker for the united states district court of the district of michigan. two will be delivered to the secretary of state. two will be delivered to the archivist of the united states. i now direct the sergeant at arms to distribute the envelopes containing the signed certificates of votes for signature by each elector. please prepare to sign as i call

each elector's name.

lt. gov. gilchrest: thank you, everyone. our benediction will now be given by pastor jason austin of one church empowerment center in grandville. rom the state of michigan. scratch that. jumped ahead.

i now direct the sergeant at arms to distribute the envelopes for signature by each elector.

lt. gov. gilchrest: chris racchiolo.

imothy e. smith.

blake mazurek. onnie j. lauria.

bobbie walton.

ark edward miller. connor wood.

robin smith. haron baseman.

arolyn ho -- holley. susan nichols.

steven rzeppa. helen moore.

ichael kerwin.

marseille allen. chuck browning.

lt. gov. gilchrest: and now our benediction will begin. it will be given by pastor jason

austin from one empowerment church in granville in the state of michigan. everyone please rise for the benediction. >> keep us safe from the harms and the dangers that covid has brought across our world and our nation. give the doctors wisdom in how to facilitate whatever medicine and vaccines shall come forth. god, we thank you for all of your glory that you have given us. we give you honor. in your name we pray. n jesus' name, amen. lt. gov. gilchrest: thank you. everyone may be seat. the chair will now entertain a motion to jdjourn. -- to adjourn. >> i move that the -- that this meeting of the electoral college adjourn. lt. gov. gilchrest: thank you.

>> i would second the motion to adjourn. lt. gov. gilchrest: thank you. there has been a motion to adjourn and a second. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. the ayes have it. this meeting of the 2020 electoral college is adjourned. [applause] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2020] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] >> the electoral college meeting in all 50 states and the district of columbia today. 16 electors choosing joe biden in lansing. the tally now 202 for joe biden, 177 for donald trump. we will take you next live to the state capitol in austin where 38 texas electors are getting set to cast their vote.