Updated 1:32 p.m.
North Carolina's 15 electors met Monday to cast their votes unanimously for President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. The formality comes after Trump won the state by more than 74,000 votes.
The electors gathered at the state capital at 12 p.m. for the voting ceremony, with only the electors and a few observers in attendance. Following health guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic, electors had their temperatures checked and were socially distanced while seated.
There wasn’t expected to be much suspense during the vote. Under North Carolina law, electors must vote for the candidate who won the most votes in the state, or they lose their position and pay a $500 fine. Two alternate electors were present at Monday's ceremony in case an elector needed to be replaced.
This year's electors include the chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party, Michael Whatley, and others selected by the state GOP.
Electors in all 50 U.S. states were scheduled to meet Monday. Congress will now meet on Jan. 6 in a joint session to officially tally the votes of the electoral college, and the winner will be sworn in on Jan. 20 as president of the United States. Joe Biden is the projected winner.
