The state’s Democratic electors signed a page of Maryland’s history Tuesday as they cast the Old Line’s 10 electoral college votes for Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Republican former President Donald Trump and Ohio Sen. JD Vance won the presidential election, but the Democratic candidates earned the majority of Maryland’s votes. The certificates signed in the Annapolis State House now head to the president of the U.S. Senate — Harris — for congressional certification on Jan. 6.

Gov. Wes Moore highlighted the historical significance of the signing in the Annapolis State House. The Governor’s Reception Room is located upstairs from the old Maryland Senate chambers, the same room where George Washington surrendered his military commission.

“Our democracy is not something that we invented,” the Democrat said. “Our democracy is something that we inherit, and it’s something just like any other heirloom that we will pass off to the next generation just as beautiful as the way that we found it.”

Judy Wixted, an elector from Talbot County, wiped away tears during the ceremony she described as “bittersweet.” She became overwhelmed taking part in America’s peaceful transfer of power, she said, and felt disappointment that her party didn’t win.

“As a Democrat,” she said. “We know what could have been.”

Wixted, a retired corporate trainer, served on her county’s central committee for 10 years. She said she was “gobsmacked” when she was asked to come to Annapolis by the state party chair to participate in the “march of history.”

“I don’t give money,” she said. “I’m not one of those big people.”

She said she just believes in doing the on-the-ground organizing, the crucial work of democracy.

Maryland’s political parties each choose 10 electors, the same number of people representing the state in Congress. Those 10 people agree to vote for their party’s nominee if they win the majority of their state’s votes.

This year marks the 60th meeting of Maryland’s electors. Maryland is one of six states that has participated in the electoral college since the country’s inaugural in 1789. Yes, that’s when George Washington was elected for the first time, and yes, we voted for him.

The Maryland State Archives brought over an historic book containing the minutes of nearly two centuries of electoral college meetings held at the State House since 1789, including when Washington won the state’s electoral votes.