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US electors expected to officially confirm Donald Trump’s victory today

ByReuters, Washington
Dec 19, 2016 01:31 PM IST

The US Electoral College is expected on Monday to officially select Republican Donald Trump as the next president in a vote that is usually routine but takes place this year amid allegations of Russian hacking to try to influence the election.

The US Electoral College is expected on Monday to officially select Republican Donald Trump as the next president in a vote that is usually routine but takes place this year amid allegations of Russian hacking to try to influence the election.

US president-elect Donald Trump speaks during a rally at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alaska.(AP File Photo)
US president-elect Donald Trump speaks during a rally at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alaska.(AP File Photo)

At meetings scheduled in every state and the District of Columbia, the institution’s 538 electors, generally chosen by state parties, will cast official ballots for president and vice-president.

It is highly unlikely the vote will change the outcome of the November 8 election, which gave the White House to Trump after he won a majority of Electoral College votes. The popular vote went to Democrat Hillary Clinton.

But the conclusion by US intelligence agencies that Russia hacked into the emails of the Democratic National Committee in an attempt to sway the election for Trump has prompted Democrats to urge some electors not to vote as directed by their state’s popular ballot.

Protesters demonstrate against US president-elect Donald Trump outside the Colorado Capitol building on the eve of the Electoral College vote, in Denver, Colorado. (AFP Photo)
Protesters demonstrate against US president-elect Donald Trump outside the Colorado Capitol building on the eve of the Electoral College vote, in Denver, Colorado. (AFP Photo)

The leaked emails disclosed details of Clinton’s paid speeches to Wall Street, party infighting and inside criticism about Clinton’s use of a private server to send emails while US secretary of state. The disclosures led to embarrassing media coverage and prompted some party officials to resign.

Trump and his team dismiss intelligence claims of Russian interference, accusing Democrats and their allies of trying to undermine the legitimacy of his election victory.

Russian officials have denied accusations of interfering in the election.

On Sunday, Clinton’s campaign chairman, John Podesta, said it was an open question whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia about the emails, an allegation that Trump’s incoming White House chief of staff, Reince Priebus, denied. A bipartisan group of US senators called for a special committee probe of cyber attacks by Russia and other countries.

The number of Electoral College electors equals the number of representatives and senators in Congress, with each state receiving a share roughly proportional to its population size.

When voters go to the polls to cast a ballot for president, they are actually choosing a presidential candidate’s preferred slate for their state.

Activists demonstrate against US president-elect Donald Trump outside the Texas State Capitol in Austin. (Reuters Photo)
Activists demonstrate against US president-elect Donald Trump outside the Texas State Capitol in Austin. (Reuters Photo)

A candidate must secure 270 votes to win. Trump won 306 electors from 30 states.

The electors convene meetings in each state to cast ballots about six weeks after each presidential election.

If no candidate reaches 270 in the Electoral College, the president is chosen by the US House of Representatives - currently controlled by Republicans.

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Read breaking news, latest updates from US, UK, Pakistan and other countries across the world on topics related to politics,crime, and national affairs along with Super Bowl 2025 Live Updates.
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