By Greg Bishop/Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – While there may be some fireworks as electors get together in other states to officially cast their votes for president, Illinois elections officials said things will be routine in the Land of Lincoln.
Illinois State Board of Elections General Counsel Ken Menzel said it’s not the popular vote of the country that selects the next president — it’s the outcome of the individual states’ independent elections combined.
“How each state goes generates a slate of electors equal in number to the number of U.S. representatives and senators for each state.”
Menzel said those are the people who really elect the next president.
“So this year, the state of people selected at the Democratic Party’s summer convention will be the people who will be there Monday morning to vote for president.”
While there are reports that electors from other states may not vote how they’re supposed to, Menzel said such deviation will not occur in this state, which, from a practical standpoint, is considered a winner-take-all state.
“It’s sort of the honor system, and of course, the expectations that the political parties are going to pick folks who will be reliably loyal when the time comes,” Menzel said.
Democrat Hillary Clinton is expected to snag all of Illinois’ 20 electoral votes, but Republican Donald Trump is expected to get the 270 needed to secure the White House.
Due to population loss, the state had 21 votes prior to the last census and is expected to fall to 19 after the next election.
