Electoral College: |”The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)”

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), known until 1985 as the National Archives and Records Service, is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for preserving and documenting government and historical records. It is also tasked with increasing public access to those documents which make up the National Archive.

NARA was established in 1934 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, but its major holdings date back to 1775. The agency houses billions of records, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. In addition, it maintains the federal government's census records, military service records, and many other important documents. 

Regarding the electoral college process, NARA plays a significant role. The Office of the Federal Register, a part of NARA, coordinates the functions of the Electoral College on behalf of the Archivist of the United States, the States, the Congress, and the American People. 

The process starts after the general presidential election, which is held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The governor of each state and the mayor of the District of Columbia prepare seven Certificates of Ascertainment, listing all the candidates for President and Vice President, their electors, and the number of votes each received. These certificates are sent to the Archivist of the United States.

The electors meet in their respective states to cast their votes for President and Vice President on the Monday after the second Wednesday in December. The electors record their votes on six Certificates of Vote, which are paired with the six remaining Certificates of Ascertainment. The electors sign, seal, and certify the packages of electoral votes and immediately send them to the Federal and State officials listed on the Certificate of Vote.

Once the votes are cast, NARA's role continues. The Archivist and/or representatives from the Office of the Federal Register meet with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House in late December or early January. This meeting happens in the President of the Senate’s office, typically the Vice President of the United States. The Certificates of Vote are inspected and arranged in alphabetical order. The President of the Senate retains one set and the Archivist retains a second set.

The Certificates of Vote are delivered to Congress. The remaining four Certificates of Vote are held at the Office of the Federal Register for public inspection for one year after the election. At the end of that year, the Certificates of Vote are transferred to the National Archives for permanent retention. 

So, while the National Archives and Records Administration does not play a direct role in the casting or counting of electoral votes, it plays a crucial role in maintaining the records of the Electoral College and ensuring transparency and accuracy in the process.