RI's presidential electors formally cast ballots

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island has formally cast its ballots for president and vice president in a pomp-filled ceremony at the Statehouse.

The state's four presidential electors cast their ballots on Monday afternoon for President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, bringing the 2012 White House campaign to a ceremonial end.

The four electors and other dignitaries were escorted in by a group of colonial militia re-enactors. Gov. Lincoln Chafee (CHAY'-fee) and members of the state's congressional delegation were in attendance.

The four electors were selected by the state's Democratic Party.

President Obama won 63 percent of the vote in Rhode Island, easily securing the state's four electoral votes. The state saw its second-highest election turnout on Nov. 6, with more than 446,000 votes cast.