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12/14/2016
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Rep. Diaz to cast vote Monday as Rhode Island presidential elector
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 STATE HOUSE — Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence) is one of four Rhode Island presidential electors who will be casting a vote for president when the Electoral College meets Monday, Dec. 19.
Federal law provides that the college must meet in their respective states on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December. Monday’s meeting will take place at noon in the House chamber at the State House.
“It is a tremendous honor to serve as an elector on this historic occasion,” said Representative Diaz. “This marks the first time in American history that a female candidate will receive electoral votes for president. As a black and Latina woman, I am proud to cast my vote on Monday.”
On Monday at noon, the Kentish Guards will escort Gov. Gina Raimondo, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, the four electors, Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation and any other dignitaries into the chamber of the House of Representatives to begin the ceremony. The Ponaganset High School Chamber Chorus will sing the national anthem and the Rev. Israel Mercedes will give the invocation.
Rhode Island voters chose to give the state’s four electoral votes to Hillary Clinton, the first woman ever to be so honored. In addition to Representative Diaz, the other electors are Frank J. Montanaro Sr., Clay Pell and L. Susan Weiner. All electors are pledged to vote for Hillary Clinton for president and Tim Kaine for vice president.
Electors will sign six separate copies of the Certificate of Vote. One copy will be sent to the Vice President, two will be sent to the national archivist, two will be retained by the Rhode Island secretary of state and one will be sent to the chief judge of the U.S. District Court.
On Jan. 6, 2017, Vice President Joseph Biden will preside over a joint session of Congress. The ballots of the electors from each state will be opened in alphabetical order by state and read aloud to Congress.
The Secretary of State's office shares responsibility for staging elections with municipal boards of canvassers and the state Board of Elections. The Secretary of State's office prepares ballots, maintains the statewide voter registration database, encourages voter registration and turnout and creates guides to running for office and voting. The state Board of Elections oversees the delivery of ballots, maintenance of voting equipment and training of poll workers. Local boards of canvassers select polling places and poll workers.
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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