Group pushes for Trump electoral defeat at Salt Lake protest


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SALT LAKE CITY — A candlelight vigil was held Sunday at the Utah State Capitol to call on Utah's six Republican presidential electors to change their vote and usher in a different president than Donald J. Trump.

It's a highly emotional calling for opponents of Trump's victory in November, critics who are rallying in advance of Monday's traditionally routine gathering of 538 electors to ratify the results of the election.

For Lisa Browdy, it's personal.

"I find him frightening and an unqualified person," the Utah resident said.

Browdy said it should be noted that while Trump won Utah in the election, he received just 45 percent of the vote.

"Utah rules say electors have to vote for Trump," she conceded, but noted there are ways to choose a more qualified candidate, especially given homegrown favorites like Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman Jr.

The push for electors to change their vote has swept across the country in what most say is a feeble attempt to derail Trump's ascension to the White House.

State laws vary, but many require electors to vote for the candidate who won the popular vote in their state. If they cast a vote for anyone else, it can be prosecutable crime.

Under Utah law, Trump must receive all the state's Electoral College votes as the winner of the Nov. 8 presidential election here. Electors who fail to comply are replaced but do not face any penalties. Utah's electors have said they'll follow the law and vote for Trump.

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Browdy said the Hamilton Electors are using the rallies nationwide as a fundraising mechanism to assure electors who may go "astray" that there will be money to fight on their behalf.

Controversy over Trump's election to the White House has been stoked by the fact that he lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by nearly 3 million votes.

The presidency goes to the candidate who wins at least 270 electoral votes assigned to states. Trump won enough of the popular vote in those states where it counted.

For detractors like Browdy, if enough pressure is put on electors to change their vote, there is a change in the country's destiny.

"Her (Clinton's) losing was bad, but Trump's winning was worse," she said.

More rallies are planned around the country Monday as the Electoral College meets to vote.

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Amy Joi O'Donoghue

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