Page 1 of 1

Creating a Memory

Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2016 11:26 pm
by Dusty
Most of you are not from the US, and even many here in the States don't understand our Electoral College system.

Based loosely on the system of Electors for the Holy Roman Emperor (Queen Elizabeth is of the line of the Elector of Hanover), it was designed to balance the sovereignty of the people with that of the States. (We are supposed to be a federation of Sovereign States.)

Each Presidential Election cycle, 538 people are chose from each of the political parties to be Elector Candidates. The popular vote is really an election of a slate of Electors, who then actually get to vote for President and Vice President. The party who's Presidential Candidate wins that State's votes send their Electors to the state capitol on Dec 19 to cast their official votes.

Whatever you politics are, it's huge honor to be Elector. This Dec 19th, I was one of those, representing Missouri's 1st Congressional District. Since my wife had had a special calligraphy pen engraved for Elizabeth for Christmas, I took it with me and used it write out the ballot. So that she'll always have proof of that, I snapped a shot of the pen on the ballot. I just wish I would have had a macro lens with me, it's really poor technically!

She was very happy to get it Christmas morning, and almost as happy to know that it now has a place in history.
Elizabeths Pen.jpg
(463.77 KiB) Downloaded 4345 times
Dusty

Re: Creating a Memory

Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 4:31 am
by the_hefay
Wow! What an honor and a memory. Congratulations!

Re: Creating a Memory

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2017 12:55 am
by Rhtubbs
Now THAT is a cool photo!

Re: Creating a Memory

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2017 10:25 pm
by Dusty
Thanks, guys!

I hope to get some good shots at the Inaugural, as the Electors are invited (and, I understand, get good seats!), but there are so many restriction - no camera bags, etc, that it means one camera and one additional lens in a pocket.

Dusty

Re: Creating a Memory

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2017 3:31 am
by bakubo
Cool, Dusty!

Re: Creating a Memory

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2017 2:09 pm
by the_hefay
I look forward to seeing those shots. Enjoy the trip.

Re: Creating a Memory

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2017 3:07 am
by pakodominguez
That's definitely an honor, Dusty.
Just one question, regardless which party you are registered/voted for, after all the controversy we had to endure in the past months, did you hesitated?
BTW, I become an USA citizen right in time for the elections.

Best

Re: Creating a Memory

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2017 6:26 pm
by sury
Wow. Now I know an Electoral college member by first name.

Sury

Re: Creating a Memory

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2017 11:43 pm
by Dusty
Pako, Welcome to US citizenship!

No, I didn't hesitate. I supported Ted Cruz in the primary, and have some reservation on Mr. Trump, but, from my perspective, Hillary was totally unacceptable. We are just 180 on too many issues, and the people of my state, knowing all that everyone knew prior to the election, were 60/40 for Trump.

Sury, that and $6.25 will get you a small latte and an overpriced coffee shop!

PDFs from the National Archives: https://www.archives.gov/federal-regist ... ssouri.pdf

Dusty