Fifty (50 percent) of Idaho's Elected Electors failed to meet Federal Standards for Electors of the President and Vice-President. Half of the panel was replaced on Monday, Dec. 19 at the capitol in Boise.

Melinda Smyser, Parma works in the office of U.S. Senator Jim Risch and is therefore ineligible to serve as an elector. Her husband, C.A. "Skip" Smyser (A former Idaho legislator and lobbyist) substituted for her at the official canvassing of Electors in Boise on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016. Likewise, Layne Bangerter, chairman of the Idaho Donald J. Trump campaign was replaced by Rod Beck of Boise.

Both "Skip" Smyser and Rod Beck their votes for Donald J. Trump, president and Mike Pense, vice president, as did Jennifer Locke. Coeur d'Alene and Caleb Lakey.

I fault the David Johnston, executive director of the Idaho State Republic Central Committee and Idaho Secretary of State Laurence Denny for not vetting all Electors before certifying them on the Nov. 9, 2016, General Election Ballot.

Prior precedence exists in IDAHO. Sandy Patano of Coeur d'Alene resigned her election due to her employment by then-Senator Larrv Craig. I commend her for abiding by the Federal Laws AND avoiding any appearance of impropriety. Thanks, Sandy.

I also want to thank Jennifer Locke and Caleb Lakey for their adherence to the Federal Electoral Qualifications as distributed to the Secretaries of State in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. I thank them also for presiding over the replacement of Mr. Baumgerter and Ms. Smyser. Thanks to ALL of the Electors for their FOUR unanimous votes for Donald J. Trump, president and Mike Vance, vice president.

Idaho Secretary of State, Laurence Denny certified the ballots placed before Idaho voters on Nov. 9, 2016. It is indicative of the arrogance OR appalling ignorance of the Electors to attempt to Bypass Federal Law as clearly stated in the Qualifications Brochure above.

(Wasn't that what was alleged to have occurred under Hillary Clinton's failed bid for the office?)

WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

The law is very clear on this matter. Secretary of State, Denny in his initial communication to Director Johnston raised the issues of illegality and the likely possibility of a legal challenge.

I believe that the Electoral College System is well-founded and has withstood the test of time for 240+ years. To deliberately try to subvert Federal Law as well as the Founding Fathers is an affront to the thousands of Idaho Voters who overwhelmingly chose Trump/Pence over Clinton/Vance. No one pretends that this issue would change the outcome of the 2016 Election. Even Governor Otter referred to the Electoral Vote as “Ceremonial” and of little import. I respectfully disagree. Perhaps the Attorney General could enlighten me if my opinion is in error.

Idaho Representative Raul Labrador pointed out in a recent press release, "The Electoral College System actually gives Idaho Voters more leverage than would a Constitutional Amendment to allow Direct Election of the President and Vice President. Witness the furor over the disparity of Total Votes versus Trump/Pense's massive Electoral Victory.

Would you REAllY want to have Illinois, New York and California be the "deciders" of a Presidential/Vice Presidential election?

Parting Question: How does William Jefferson Clinton qualify as a New York Elector while still receiving his Federal EX-Presidential Pension, Secret Service protection not to mention Health Benefits?

Just asking!

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Robert S. West, MD, is a resident of Coeur d'Alene.