California Electoral College formally casts its 55 votes for Obama

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California’s Electoral College made it official Monday: casting all 55 of its votes in the election for President Obama and Vice President Biden to reflect that the majority of Californians voted for the Democratic candidates Nov. 6.

As electors gathered in other states across the country to cast their votes, California’s contingent took its official vote on paper ballots in the state Assembly Chambers in Sacramento.

In the November election, Obama received 60.2% of the vote in California, and Republican challenger Mitt Romney was supported by 37.1% of voters, according to the official Statement of Vote by Secretary of State Debra Bowen. The third-place finisher was Libertarian Gary Johnson, who garnered 1.1% of the vote.

The youngest elector to participate in the vote was Christopher Tumbeiro, 18, of Simi Valley. The student at Royal High School was named as the elector from the 25h Congressional District by Lee Rogers, that area’s unsuccessful Democratic candidate. Tumbeiro also was selected to serve as a ‘teller,’’ a position that distributes and collects the paper ballots during the meeting of the California Electoral College.

‘It’s a very humbling experience and a very exciting experience,’’ Tumbeiro said. ‘Since I am the youngest, I want to inspire other young people to become involved.’’

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-- Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento