Michigan's Lansing Electoral College Is In Lansing

The Electoral College will vote to decide the president on Dec. 19. The electors will meet all across the country to cast their votes for Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, or some other candidate if they so wish. It's almost certain that the process will result in the election of Trump and a Trump Administration in 2017. But in Michigan, it's still not clear for whom the 16 electoral votes will be cast. That's because a recount there will barely be completed by Dec. 13, and the electors vote Dec 19. But where is the Electoral College meeting in Michigan?

Like all meetings of the Electoral College around the country, the electors will meet at the state capitol, which in Michigan is in the city of Lansing. There they will fill out the "certificate of vote" — a key piece of paper that you've probably never heard of. There's no rule on their general appearance, but they must be addressed to the President of the Senate, informing him on how many electoral votes were cast for president, and how many were cast for vice president. There's no need for anyone who didn't get an electoral vote to show up on the certificate.

Take a look at the certificate sent in 2012. Everyone's votes show up together, and all 16 electors sign the same page. So at least traditionally there's no room for disagreement. The votes being split is literally not accounted for — although it could be redesigned in theory. That means it would be awfully hard to be an anonymous elector for Clinton or another Republican.

One of the Republican electors, Jack Holmes, a retired poli-sci professor, concurs. He said that he would be voting for Trump, among other reasons, because Michigan law says he must. "Under Michigan law, I am obligated to vote for Donald Trump," Holmes said. "If I do not, then I am automatically removed. I am very enthusiastic about voting for Donald Trump."

If other electors share his sentiment, the only hope for Clinton supporters is the recount — and at this point, even finishing it in Michigan before the federal safe harbor law requires the winner be decided on Dec. 13 will be quite the challenge. For Trump supporters, the main hope relies in it being over. Michael Banerian, the youth vice-chairman of the Michigan GOP had this to say:

Obviously, this election cycle was pretty divisive. Unfortunately it's bled over into the weeks following the election and I have been inundated with death threats, death wishes, generally angry messages trying to get me to change my vote to Hillary Clinton or another person, and unfortunately, it's gotten a little out of control.

So stay tuned to Dec. 19, when the Michigan electors meet in Lansing. Surely we'll know more by then.