What are the dates related to the Electoral College?
North Carolina law says it meets “at noon on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December next after their election”. The National Archives website lists these “key dates”:
November 3, 2020—Election Day
The voters in each State choose electors to serve in the Electoral College.
December 14, 2020—Electors vote
The electors in each State meet to select the President and Vice President of the United States.
January 6, 2021—Congress counts the vote
Congress meets in joint session to count the electoral votes (unless Congress passes a law to change the date).
January 20, 2021—Inauguration Day
The President-Elect is sworn in as President of the United States.
Where can I find out more about the Electoral College?
Our Electoral College web page is here. Another good resource is the US National Archives website here.
How are the Electors selected?
North Carolina law says that the political parties are supposed to pick their elector nominees at either a State convention or however their party plan of organization says to pick them. For unaffiliated candidates for President who have qualified to have their names on the printed ballots, the presidential candidate picks the elector nominees. The materials at the National Archives website are a good resource for the answer to this question.
For information about how a particular party selects its electors, you will need to contact that party.
Do electors have to vote for their party’s candidate?
North Carolina has a law that addresses this question: § 163-212. Penalty for failure of presidential elector to attend and vote
Can the Secretary of State tell electors how to vote?
No.
Can members of the public attend the meeting of the Electoral College?
The meeting of the Electoral College is a public meeting. However, the Capitol will be closed to the public due to the following: the ongoing COVID crisis, recommended social distancing and indoor gathering requirements, and, the small accommodations in the Old House Chamber.
Members of the public will be able to watch the meeting. We have made arrangements for the meeting to be broadcast by UNC-TV on one of their channels. The event will also be live streamed on the Secretary of State Website. In addition, the feed will also be offered to many media outlets who may carry it live or delayed.
You can see videos of past North Carolina Electoral College meetings here.
Is the Secretary of State a member of the Electoral College?
No. The Secretary of State only serves as the host of the Electoral College. In other words, her responsibilities include administrative tasks such as reserving the room in the State Capitol where the Electoral College meets.