Donald Trump has secured the presidency after easily surpassing the 270 U.S. Electoral College votes needed to win.
Kansas contributed to his victory following his decisive win in the state with its six electoral votes cast earlier this week on December 17th.
The Electoral College, established in 1787 within the United States Constitution, allows Americans to elect the president and vice president through state-chosen electors indirectly. To win the presidency, a candidate must receive at least 270 of the 538 total electoral votes. This system provides smaller states with proportional influence, ensuring their voices are balanced against those of larger states. While populous states like New York and California might prefer a popular vote system, changing the Electoral College would require smaller states’ approval, which is unlikely given their vested interest in maintaining the current structure.
Kansas operates under an “all-or-nothing” state statute, awarding all six of its electoral votes to Trump and Vance after they easily secured the state’s popular vote on November 5, 2024. These votes represent Kansas’ two U.S. senators and four House representatives. Electors are chosen according to party rules and certified by the Kansas Secretary of State.
Kansas’ Republican electors for 2024 included Mike Brown (Kansas Republican Party Chairman), Kristi Brown (Republican Precinct Committeewoman), Maria Holiday (former Johnson County Republican Party Chairwoman), Mark Kahrs (Kansas RNC National Committeeman), Cheryl Reynolds (KSGOP Vice Chairwoman), and Alan Townsend (KSGOP Treasurer). Electors are historically party leaders or officials. Federal officeholders are expressly ineligible to serve as Electors.
For a fascinating piece about the Kansas Electors and a brief history lesson, please follow the link (CLICK HERE) to access a story authored by the IKE Lab, a project initiated in February 2024. This initiative is under the guidance of Brian Amos and Alexandra Middlewood, both associate professors in the Political Science Department at Wichita State University. Others contributing include Vishnu Avva, David Hernandez, and Kian Williams. Wichita State University made this project possible.
The electors convened in the Kamsas Capital and specifically the Senate Chambers on December 17, 2024, at noon, per state statute, to formally cast Kansas’ six electoral votes for Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, memorializing and finalizing the state’s proud contribution to their
Epic and historic presidential landslide victory and a clear mandate of America First.
President Donald J. Trump, the 47th President of the United States. J.D. Vance, the Vice President of the United States.
Now that sounds nice.
|