In the state of Washington, one elector became emotional while casting his ballot during the Electoral College vote on Monday. Jack Arends...
In the state of Washington, one elector became emotional while casting his ballot during the Electoral College vote on Monday.
Jack Arends, a precinct committee officer, is one of the 12 electors in the state to cast ballots for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, who won the state in November with 58 percent of the popular vote.
While casting his vote, Arends had something to say, both about the outgoing administration and about himself.
'Today was the chance to begin the end of the Trump administration,' Arends said in a shaky voice, according to Mediaite. 'I was glad to do my duty and rid our nation of a petty dictator. Had he won a second term, there is no limit to the damage he could’ve done to the world.'
Jack Arends, 64, cast a monumental Electoral College vote for Joe Biden on Monday
Arends cast one of Washington's 12 votes that went towards the president-elect
After casting his vote, Arends couldn't contain his emotional and began sobbing
After that, Arends revealed an upsetting personal truth: a terminal illness that is likely to end his life soon.
'In November, I was told there was no more medical treatment that can help me, so it was important for me to do this one thing that I could do, while I still can,' Arends said.
He began to sob as he finished speaking, while the chamber around him began cheering.
According to the Daily Herald, Arends was diagnosed with a terminal heart valve problem shortly after the 64-year-old was selected to be an elector in 2020.
He also posted on Facebook about having a kidney problem, referring to himself as a 'heart and kidney patient' back in April.
'It’s a great weight lifted from my shoulders being able to do this,' Arends said to the Daily Herald after casting his vote.
The moment was made more impactful for Arends due to his medical state, which he has previously talked about on Facebook
Arends has a terminal heart valve problem and may not have very long to live anymore
He was honored to still perform his duty and make sure Washington didn't have any problem with faithless electors like the state did back in 2016
'We’re at a crossroads today, and it’s up to each and every one of us to pull ourselves together and bring our children along, our families along, as we continue to make life better in society,' fellow elector Patricia Whitefoot told The Olympian.
The Electoral College confirmed Biden's victory over Trump on Monday, all but ending the latter's hope of overturning the election results from November.
In 2016, four electors in Washington did not follow the will of the state's population and cast their ballots for Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Instead, three electors cast ballots for Colin Powell, while one cast a ballot for a Native American leader in South Dakota.
Joe Biden won the Electoral College vote on Monday, confirming his 2020 victory
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