State electors, including Ironton woman, say they'll stick with Gore

ST. PAUL (AP) -- While Minnesota's 10 members of the Electoral College are not bound to a presidential candidate, there's little chance the lifelong Democrats would consider backing a Republican.

"Never. Never in a million years," said Prudy Cameron, an elector from Duluth.

"Absolutely not," said Georgianna Ruzich, Maple Grove.

"Are you kidding? No way," said Carol Bartels, Ironton.

"You don't think for a minute I'd vote for Bush, do you?" replied Elizabeth Kalisch, White Bear Lake.

Because Democratic candidate Al Gore carried Minnesota, that means Democratic electors get the opportunity to cast the state's 10 electoral votes. The U.S. Constitution and Minnesota law give the electors the freedom to vote for anyone. They meet next month at the Capitol in St. Paul to fulfill their constitutional duty.

But, given the potential for mischief, both political parties make sure their electors stick to the script.

Kalisch, for instance, said she has been chairwoman of her White Bear Lake precinct for 42 years. Bartels has been a delegate to the local DFL convention for the last 50 years.

Minnesota's 10 presidential electors are chosen at party conventions. But the Electoral College class of 2000 didn't quite expect this: a presidential race deadlocked, and an Electoral College vote so tight that electors may come under pressure to change their vote.

Matthew Little, a longtime DFL and civil rights activist from St. Paul, vowed to vote for Gore, "regardless of how much pressure would be applied to me, but I doubt that would even happen."

Minnesota's other electors are Janis Ray, Sherburn; Elmer Dutchman, Windom; Joan Campbell, Minneapolis; Glenda Meixell, Fridley; and John Meuers, St. Cloud.