MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — With patriotic music and a face mask-wearing Uncle Sam, Alabama’s members of the Electoral College cast their nine votes for Republican President Donald Trump at the state Capitol on Monday.
Held in the same chamber where Alabama decided to secede from the Union in 1861, the ceremony solidified Trump’s overwhelming victory in the Republican-controlled state over Democrat Joe Biden last month.
GOP faithful still smarting over Trump’s loss nationally used the event to highlight questions over the election and to portray Alabama as a national model for election security despite allegations the state has tried to suppress the Black vote.
“Happily, here in Alabama, the result of this year’s election was no way in doubt,” said Attorney General Steve Marshall, who sided with a failed Texas lawsuit that was supported by Trump to overturn the outcome.
With the crowd limited because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 4,100 people in Alabama, a socially distanced Homewood High School Marching Patriots band played from the balcony, and several electors wore Trump face masks.
Dressed as Uncle Sam in red, white and blue, J. Danny Cooper uncovered his face while speaking about the importance of the Electoral College in providing a voice for smaller states like Alabama.