Shoreline resident announces Washington’s Electoral College Vote for President

Shoreline resident Heather Fralick was elected to preside over the meeting of
Washington's members of the Electoral College

Washington’s members of the Electoral College unanimously awarded its 12 votes to President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, reflecting the will of Washington’s voters in the November 6th election.

Shoreline resident and Cascadia Community College instructor Heather Fralick presided over the meeting. The electors signed six copies of their ballot for President, Vice President, and Certificates of Ascertaining. These documents are sent to the President of the United States Senate, the United States Archive, and the Western District Court of Washington.  In addition, the Washington Secretary of State keeps copies of the certificate.

Ms. Fralick was chosen by her peers to convene the meeting held in the State Reflection Room of the State Capitol.

“It was my privilege to represent the State of Washington with an amazing group of electors on this historic occasion,” said Ms. Fralick. “I can't even begin to express my gratitude to all that made this possible.”

“I believe that President Obama will continue to lead our country forward as we struggle with the numerous economic, social and political challenges of our time,” Ms. Fralick added. 

Ms. Fralick teaches about the Electoral College as part of her political science curriculum at Cascadia and Shoreline Community Colleges.

Washington's Electoral College members at work
Shoreline resident Heather Fralick is on the right

Both Secretary of State Sam Reed and Governor Christine Gregoire spoke at the meeting and incoming Secretary of State Kim Wyman attended.

Secretary of State Reed remarked, “The Electoral College is a key step in how America chooses its president and vice president. While it lacks the attention and excitement of last November’s popular election, the Electoral College vote carries the same impact.”

Governor Gregoire praised the work of the Secretary of State, before adding

“I am honored to bear witness today to the election of President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden. This ceremony, as with Electoral College votes across the country, reflects our dedication to the democratic process and commitment to open and transparent government.”

At the start of the meeting, the electors observed a moment of silence for the victims and families in Newtown, Connecticut.

Washington state members of the Electoral College
gather to elect the President of the United States

Each state has a number of electors equal to the number of senators and representatives it has in the U.S. Congress. Of Washington’s 12 presidential electors, one is from each of the state’s 10 congressional districts. Those 10 were selected at congressional district caucuses last May conducted by the state Democratic Party. The two at-large electors were chosen at the state Democratic Party convention in Seattle last June.

The 12 electors were:

1. 1st District: Grifynn Clay of Snohomish;
2. 2nd District: Snohomish County Councilmember Dave Gossett of Mountlake Terrace;
3. 3rd District: Kathleen Lawrence of Vancouver;
4. 4th District: George Fearing of Kennewick;
5. 5th District: Rick Lloyd of Spokane Valley;
6. 6th District: Gail Kirk of Tacoma;
7. 7th District: Maria Ehsan of Seattle;
8. 8th District: Elizabeth Satiacum of Roy;
9. 9th District: Georgia Spencer of Seattle; and
10. 10th District: Harvey Brooks of University Place.
11. At-large electors are Heather Fralick of Shoreline 
12. and Alec Stephens of Seattle