Oregon Public Broadcasting

You probably thought Barack Obama was elected President last month.  But if you want to be Constitutional about it, Monday is the day that Barack Obama is officially elected President.  

That’s because members of the Electoral College are meeting in state capitols across the country to formally cast their ballots.  Salem correspondent Chris Lehman has more.

The outcome of this election isn’t really in doubt.  The electors have each pledged to vote the same way as the majority of their respective states.  

That means 11 votes for Barack Obama in Washington and seven votes for him in Oregon.  Idaho’s four Electoral College votes are pledged to John McCain.

In Olympia, a big ceremony is planned including a speech by Governor Chris Gregoire.  

A more low key gathering is planned in Salem.  That’s in part because Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury isn’t a big fan of the Electoral College.

Bill Bradbury:  “I actually am now to the point where I really think we should really move to just a popular vote system for electing the President and kind of get rid of this anachronism.”

The actual voting process is quick.  Electors simply fill out a form.  The ballots are then sealed and sent off to Congress.