The Latest: Idaho’s 4 electors vote for Trump

The Latest on Idaho’s electoral vote (all times local):

12:10 p.m.

Idaho’s four Republican presidential electors have cast their ballots for Donald Trump.

The electors refused to stray from the state’s popular vote despite being flooded with emails, letters and untold numbers of calls urging them to vote against Trump.

The electors signed separate ballots for Trump and vice presidential running mate Mike Pence during Monday’s meeting at the Idaho Capitol.

Idaho’s GOP electors are Skip Smyser of Parma, Rod Beck of Boise, Caleb Lakey of Kuna, and Jennifer Locke of Coeur d’Alene.

The Electoral College formally elects the president, and each state has as many votes as members in Congress. A candidate must win 270 of the 538 votes to be elected.

___

11:00 a.m.

Two out of Idaho’s four Republican electors were replaced Monday before casting their ballots for president.

Idaho’s electors – selected by the Idaho Republican Party – originally were Layne Bangerter of Melba, who chaired Donald Trump’s Idaho presidential campaign; former GOP state Sen. Melinda Smyser of Parma; Caleb Lakey of Kuna; and Kootenai County precinct committeewoman Jennifer Locke of Coeur d’Alene. All four were Trump delegates at the Republican National Convention this year.

However, Bangerter and Smyser were replaced Monday morning because they are federal employees. Smyser works for U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, and Bangerter works for U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo.

The replacement electors are Rod Beck, who chaired Trump’s primary campaign in Idaho, and Smyser’s husband, Skip, who is a lobbyist and former lawmaker.

___

10:50 a.m.

Demonstrators have gathered outside Idaho’s Capitol hours before Republican electors are expected to back President-elect Donald Trump.

Roughly 40 protesters marched, chanted and waved signs Monday, joining similar efforts around the country in a last-ditch attempt to swing electors from voting for Trump. The efforts aren’t expected to work in Idaho, nor are they expected to prevent Trump’s selection as president.

One Idaho protester stood on the Idaho Capitol steps and read a letter from a Texas elector Christopher Suprun, who vowed not to vote for Trump.

The formal vote is scheduled to take place noon in the governor’s ceremonial office in the Idaho Capitol. The event is open to the public.