Minnesota’s 10 electors cast their presidential ballots in the Electoral College on Monday December 19 The 10 electors and their alternates are bound by law to vote for the winner of the popular vote in Minnesota, which this year was Hillary Clinton. Secretary of State Steve Simon presided over the event which was in the Minnesota Senate Building room 1200. Governor Mark Dayton will also speak at the event. Governor Mark Dayton was scheduled to attend, but was ill and unable to attend.

Do Minnesota electors have to vote for Hillary Clinton? No they don’t. But if they vote for anyone else their votes won’t be counted.

Also the assembly, Secretary Simon presented a special award, in conjunction with the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), to Minnesota’s high school students and principals. The award is for their commitment and participation to Students Vote 2016, Minnesota’s first statewide mock election for high schools, and inspiring the next generation of voters to be engaged. Over 96,000 students cast a mock ballot for U.S. President and got hands on experience with the electoral process. Accepting the award on behalf of Minnesota’s high school students and principals will be Brooke Chesley, a senior at Marshall High School and President of the Minnesota Association of Student Councils; and David Adney, Executive Director of Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals.

Students from schools in Albert Lea, Apple Valley, Brainerd, Buffalo, Burnsville, Chatfield, Clearbrook, Detroit Lakes, Duluth, Forest Lake, Granada, Hawley, Hermantown, Hopkins, Mahtomedi, Minneapolis, New Prague, Oakdale, Rochester, Saint Paul, Sleepy Eye, Windom and Woodbury will be in attendance at the ceremony.