text: After the presidential election the governor prepares a "certificate of ascertainment" listing the candidates who ran for president. The certificate of ascertainment declares the winning presidential candidate in my state will represent your state at the meeting of electors. Abolishing the electoral college no said Bob Dole and Jimmy Carter they agreed. They are not alone according to a Gallup poll in 2000 taken after Al Gore thanks to the quirks of the electoral college won the popular vote but lost the presidency over 60% of voters would prefer a direct election to the kind we have now.