HARTFORD — Connecticut's seven electors formally cast their votes for Hillary Clinton, winner of the state's presidential election, on Monday.
The electors, all Democrats, chose Clinton for president and U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine for vice president in Monday's solemn ceremony. The vote was held in the state Senate chamber, and was held in state capitals across the country.
Around 5:30 p.m. Trump surpassed the 270 threshold to formally win the presidency.
While the outcome was expected, about 50 protesters rallied outside the state Capitol, expressing concern with the Electoral College process and whether Republican Donald Trump is suitable to be the next president.
“As this year illustrates, the office can be won through the Electoral College, without winning the majority of the popular,” said Secretary of the State Denise Merrill.
This has only happened five times in U.S. history, most recently when George W. Bush was elected in 2000, but Al Gore won the popular vote.
Electoral College voters say they feel it's time for change. Robert Godfrey told FOX 61 on Monday, “It's time for it to go. Every other elected position in the Unites States of America, its territories and possessions is done by direct, popular vote.
Nick Balleto, Connecticut's Democratic Party chair, added, “The country is so much different than the past when our founding fathers did this over 200 years ago.”
Outside the State Capitol the 50 protesters also hoped their efforts would effect change.
Reverend Maurice Porter of Hartford said, “I think this will bring attention. People need to bring to the issue that we're all on the same page.”
Dr. Carol Swenson, a Westport psychologist, held a sign urging electors to vote for "sanity." She calls Trump "a dangerous person" and says she felt the need to speak out.
For Trump to have lost the presidency in the Electoral College, 37 electors from across the country would have had to change their minds and vote for Clinton. That's why the Democrats say its time to move on and focus on change for future elections.
“There's no sour grapes. We were looking at an Electoral College win and we were unsuccessful at doing that, but going forward it should be a national popular vote,” said Balletto.
J.R.Romano, Connecticut's Republican Party Chair says there's no need to change what our founding fathers put in place. “The Democrats are being petulant children because they're not getting their way. You didn't see Republicans trying to overturn the Electoral College for Barack Obama,” said Romano.