UPDATE: Arizona’s presidential electors vote for Biden
President-elect carried the state by more than 10,000 votes
PHOENIX, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Arizona's 11 presidential electors met Monday to formally vote for Democratic President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, , even as Republicans continued their fight to delay the official vote.
Biden won the November 3rd General Election by nearly 10,500 votes in Arizona, becoming the first Democrat to carry the traditionally Republican state since President Bill Clinton in 1996.
The electors were a diverse group of Democrats which included three tribal leaders, a Latina mayor, three labor union leaders, an openly gay Latino county supervisor, a Black member of the state utility commission, the president of a county NAACP chapter and the state party chair, Felecia Rotellini.
Rotellini released this statement after the vote:
"Today, I am honored to serve with ten extraordinary Democratic and community leaders to cast our Electoral College votes for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris. The gravity and historic importance of this vote is immeasurable. We come together representing the diverse character and cultures of Arizona. We cast our votes, not only as representatives of our respective communities but also as Arizonans representing everyone who calls this great state home.
Joe Biden won Arizona’s eleven electoral college votes because of his broad bipartisan coalition of support. The campaign invested significant time and resources in every corner of the state to earn the overwhelming support of Democrats, Latinos, African Americans, AAPI voters, Tribal communities, and independent voters.
The campaign brought together voters of faith and even some Republicans who wanted a better future for our country. Our values were on the ballot and, as Democrats, we can celebrate the triumph of knowing a majority of Americans and Arizonans have endorsed them with their vote. But our work is just beginning anew. Â
Let’s follow the lead of President-elect Joe Biden who has said it is time to abandon partisan labels and come together as Americans to work together to tackle the real problems and crises facing our nation."
Felecia Rotellini, Arizona Democratic Party Chair
The vote came as some Arizona Republicans continue to question Biden’s victory over President Donald Trump.
Conservative attorney Sidney Powell had asked the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) to decertify Biden's win in Arizona. Powell wanted the justices to stop electors from casting their Electoral College ballots. She, the Trump Campaign, and the state Republican party, claim fraud in Maricopa County.
A lower court judge dismissed the Republican lawsuit, citing a lack of evidence. SCOTUS declined to hear a previous appeal.
