New York electors cast votes for Biden, Harris in brief ceremony

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York's 29 presidential electors awarded their votes to Joe Biden and running mate Kamala Harris Monday on Monday.

The vote took place in the state Capitol in the state Assembly chamber. Electors included former President Bill Clinton and former U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, who were the first two to cast their votes.

"I'm really looking forward to the Biden, Harris administration. It's going to be great for the country," Hillary Clinton told reporters afterward. "Absolutely monumental."

The vote took about half an hour and finished without any surprises. Electors sat in separate rows behind invisible plastic dividers. All wore masks as they sat and cast their votes one by one.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, left, and former President Bill Clinton, members of the New York Electoral College, vote for president and vice president at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y., Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Pool)

"But the brevity of the proceeding does not minimize the gravity of our actions," said Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who served as president of the state's electors. "In fact, it's quite the opposite. This pandemic, these masks, this physical configuration are a stark reminder to the nation that government matters and leadership matters and good government that not only improves people's lives but can literally save people's lives."

One man outside the Capitol held a sign that read: "You're fired," a reference to outgoing President Donald Trump.