Does anybody know how this works?

The governor's office won't say anything, the legislature can't find out anything, the political parties aren't talking... and former Governor John Carlin (now the head of the National Archives) has passed the buck to a Librarian to tell me that they can't tell me anything either...

I hate to dissapoint Mr. Hartley, but I've already been ignored by the Kansas Secretary of State, too... but I'll try again, just for fun!

How does anyone get elected President if no one knows how the Electoral College is formed?

The Big Dog: Certificate of Vote

And here it is... the "Certificate of Vote" for the 2004 Presidential Election for the State of Kansas...

This is the actual document that represents the vote for the electors of the state. There are many copies of the certificate for each state (to be sent to various places of record throughout the government) but each certificate is to be identical. All electors for a given state (or commonwealth or other electoral district such as Washington DC) sign the same copies.

There is not one certificate of vote for each elector, but several identical copies for each state signed by all electors for the state.

Pretty cool, huh?

2004 Kansas Certificate of Ascertainment

Here's what it looks like: The Kansas Certificate of Ascertainment.

A Certificate of Ascertainment lists the:

• names of the electors chosen by the voters and the number of votes received
• names of all other candidates for elector and the number of votes received

The Governor of each State prepares seven original Certificates of Ascertainment listing the persons appointed as electors as soon as possible after the November election.

Each Certificate must be signed by the Governor and carry the seal of the State. One of the seven original Certificates of Ascertainment, along with two certified copies (or two additional originals) must be sent by registered mail to the Archivist of the United States.

Federal law does not govern the general appearance of the Certificate of Ascertainment. The remaining Certificates are paired with the Certificates of Vote at the Meeting of Electors in December.

Read the Certificates of Ascertainment Preparation and Distribution Instructions

Rep. Kinzer Responds

State Representative Lance Kinzer has given the following response:


"Here is the link for information on the process http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/state_responsibilities.html#appointing

Basically, the Feds leave it up to the states to determine what process they want to use for selecting the delegates. Previously, the state committee has selected the delegates at the summer meeting of the Presidential election year. Usually, the state chairman appoints three or five individuals to a selection committee. The committee accepts nominations from the state committee and recommends delegates that are then, approved by the state committee.
However, that process could always change for the next election."

So there's a COMMITTEE!!! Committees can be petitioned. I've asked Rep Kinzer to get me some contact information for this committee...