Michigan electors cast 16 votes for Biden

Michigan electors cast 16 votes Monday for President-elect Joe Biden, who reclaimed battleground state for Democrats on his way to winning White House.

vote was anunced by Michigan Democratic Party Chairwoman Lavora Barnes and confirmed by Democratic Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II during a scaled-back, socially distanced Electoral College ceremony inside Michigan Senate.

Capitol was closed to public due to coronavirus restrictions. Lawmakers also closed ir offices because of threats of violence. Electors and some top Democrats were escorted into Statehouse by state police while a sparse group of protesters gared outside.

" people have spoken," said Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who delivered remarks in which she ted that a record 5.5 million Michigan voters cast ballots in election despite pandemic. "It was a safe, secure and fair election."

Citing baseless allegations of widespread fraud, Trump and his allies had urged U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate Biden's 154,000-vote, or 2.8-percent point, victory in Michigan and pushed Republican-led Legislature to choose electors. But legally suspect, longshot bids were rejected by court and by Republican legislative leaders, who pointed to a state law that stipulates that votes go to popular vote winner.

state certified Biden's win two weeks ago — one that was more than 14 times bigger than Trump's surprise, 10,700-vote margin over Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016.