Trump over the top with Texas votes

Texas put Donald Trump over the top in securing the Electoral College win, confirming him as the next president. All but two electors in the Lone Star State remained faithful.

The Texas Electoral College had several things to take care of: filling four vacant seats, electing a chairman of the college and secretary of the meeting. It was more than two hours before they were able to cast their ballot for president and vice president.

A historical moment for the State of Texas as electors helped Donald Trump surpass the 270 votes needed to win the presidency.

"Well that's the way the majority of Texas voted and we are going to reflect, or should reflect, the vote of the people. It is after all a republic," says Loren Byers, elector, Texas Electoral College.

Out of 38 Texas electors 36 voted for Trump, 1 for Ron Paul and 1 for John Kasich. It was a surprising twist to those who are part of the system.

"I'm thrilled that the majority did, I'm very disappointed in the two that did not. I don't think that Texas has ever had an unfaithful elector so it's very disappointing that they chose to be electors but didn't support the nominee," says Susan Fischer, elector, Texas Electoral College.

There was a lot of anticipation headed into Monday's meeting of the Electoral College. Groups of protestors could be found both inside and outside of the Texas State Capitol. They were urging an Electoral College flip-flop, which did not go in their favor. The mood after the results were mixed. The chairman of the Electoral College asked DPS to escort anyone out who was causing a ruckus. Anne Devlin says she wasn't escorted out but did want to voice her concerns once she got to the rotunda.

"We missed our opportunity to stand up for our country and now I'm afraid that Donald Trump is going to fulfill his promises...take away our freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom of speech," says Anne Devlin, citizen.

One young man stood outside of the Texas House chambers waiting for electors to pass by. He was holding a sign that read, "We will overcome."

"Do not let atrocities like this ever happen again. You don't know how big of an impact it's going to be for every single one of us. No matter what we do, what color we are, it's going to have an impact on our lives," says Jason Rubio, Austin resident.

The vote ceremony is normally uneventful, this time around it was anything but that. There were several things that needed to be taken care. Texas first had to fill four elector vacancies. One had resigned - refusing to vote for Donald Trump - two others were ineligible and another was a no show.

"It was important for me to be able to have a voice as a citizen. I just felt like it was an important reflection of history and America, and what a great place to be a part of that," says Debra Coffey, replacement elector, Texas Electoral College.

Now that the Electoral College has made their decision, it's resulted in renewed efforts to reform or abolish the system entirely. Electors disagree.

"The Founding Fathers were very smart when they put the Electoral College in place. I don't see any need to replace it," says Fischer.

The Electoral College results will be officially certified January 6th. Next month Trump will officially become the 45th president of the United States.