HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — All seven of Connecticut's electors cast their ballots Monday for Democratic President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in an unusual, socially distanced ceremony at the state Capitol that some electors called an honor of a lifetime, especially during these politically turbulent times.

“I am positively thrilled. I have to tell you that this is the most exciting day of my life," said John Kalamarides, a former chairman of the Wilton Democratic Town Committee. He added it was “disturbing” to see Republican President Donald Trump and his supporters question the validity of the election.

“It's extraordinarily scary stuff. And democracy is so fragile," he said.

The 45-minute ceremony was held inside the state Senate chamber, located on the third floor of a mostly empty state Capitol building. The building has been closed for months to the public because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Capitol Police had no reports of protestors.

Connecticut's seven members sat far apart in seats normally reserved for state senators instead of at a table in the center of the room. All the electors wore masks and one wore a face shield and gloves.

Ninety-four-year old William Smith, a longtime member of the Democratic Party in Hartford, wore a mask that read “VOTE.” Smith said he considers this “the most monumental election we've ever had” in the U.S., noting it was a particular honor as a Black man to cast his ballot for Harris, the first person of color and the first woman elected vice president.

“That’s a long way from the slave ship,” he said.

There was no pomp and circumstance this year, including no color guard. The Pledge of Allegiance, national anthem and invocation were all pre-taped and shown on a large screen set up in the Senate chamber. It was broadcast live on TV and online.

Only about 20 people were inside the Senate chamber as the chair, Susan Barrett, a former state representative and state Democratic party leader, read the words, “The electors have chosen Joseph R. Biden Jr. for the Office of President of the United States.”

The other electors included Dana Barcellos-Allen of Avon, Myrna Watanabe of Harwinton, Anthony Attanasio of Niantic and Dominic F. Balletto Jr. of East Haven. They were elected at the Democratic state convention in May.

It was "probably the most unusual meeting” of the Electoral College since the first meeting in 1789, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill acknowledged.

One sign of the times was the bottle of hand sanitizer on the table where Merrill and Deputy Secretary of the State Scott Bates sealed with wax each envelope containing the signed copies of the certified vote. They will be sent to Congress, where both houses will convene on Jan. 6. for a session presided over by Vice President Mike Pence.

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This story has been corrected to show that the Senate chamber is located on the third floor, not the second floor of the state Capitol.