SALEM (AP) — Seven Oregonians gathered at the state Capitol on Monday afternoon to help elect Democrat Barack Obama as the next U.S. president.

The occasion was a meeting of Oregonians who are representatives of the national Electoral College, the centuries-old and sometimes controversial presidential balloting system.

Despite its historic nature, there was no suspense around Monday’s gathering. That’s because Oregon’s individual electors earlier had pledged to support the candidate who won the popular vote in November. Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden coasted to victory over Sen. John McCain and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.