What is the Electoral College?

There are two documents required for electors to vote:

• Certificates of Ascertainment confirm the names of the appointed electors.
  Learn more   |   View the 2008 Presidential Election Certificates
  
  
• Certificates of Vote contain the elector's votes for president and vice president.
  Learn more   |   View the 2008 Presidential Election Certificates

Are your State electors bound by the popular vote?

• View the State Laws and Requirements to find out.

• View the roles of the States, Congress, and the National Archives and Records Administration.

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) ensures the facial sufficiency of the Certificates of Ascertainment and the Certificates of Vote and controls the integrity of the Certificates by limiting the number of people handling the documents.

• NARA is responsible for transmitting two of the original Certificates of Ascertainment to the House and Senate and making one original available for public inspection at the Federal Register.
• Finally, NARA ensures that all 538 electoral votes are accounted for on the Certificates of Vote and are delivered to the Congress to be unsealed and counted on the date of the official tally (January 6, 2009).
• After one year the Certificates of Ascertainment and the Certificates of Vote are placed in the permanent custody of NARA where they serve as an enduring testimonial to the strength and resilience of our political system.