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2021 United States Electoral College vote count Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: The 2020 Election Certification and Electoral Count Reform

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The 2020 Election Certification and Electoral Count Reform Study Guide

Foundations of the Electoral Process

The Electoral College's fundamental constitutional function is to elect the President and Vice President of the United States.

Answer: True

Explanation: The U.S. Constitution establishes the Electoral College as the mechanism for electing the President and Vice President.

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A candidate requires a minimum of 270 electoral votes to secure the U.S. presidency.

Answer: True

Explanation: To win the presidency, a candidate must obtain an absolute majority of the electoral votes, which is 270 out of the total 538.

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Maine and Nebraska do not allocate all electoral votes based solely on the statewide winner; Maine splits its votes by congressional district, and Nebraska does the same for some of its votes.

Answer: True

Explanation: Maine and Nebraska do not allocate all electoral votes based solely on the statewide winner; Maine splits its votes by congressional district, and Nebraska does the same for some of its votes.

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The Twelfth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution details the process for contingent elections in the House of Representatives and Senate if no presidential candidate achieves an electoral majority.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Twelfth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution details the process for contingent elections in the House of Representatives and Senate if no presidential candidate achieves an electoral majority.

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Which body is constitutionally mandated to elect the President and Vice President of the United States?

Answer: The United States Electoral College.

Explanation: The U.S. Constitution establishes the Electoral College as the designated body responsible for electing the President and Vice President.

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How many electoral votes are the minimum required for a candidate to win the U.S. presidency?

Answer: 270

Explanation: A candidate must secure an absolute majority of the electoral votes, which amounts to a minimum of 270 out of the total 538 available.

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According to the Twelfth Amendment, if no presidential candidate wins an electoral majority, who elects the President?

Answer: The House of Representatives

Explanation: The Twelfth Amendment stipulates that if no presidential candidate secures an electoral majority, the election is decided by the House of Representatives.

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How did the states of Maine and Nebraska allocate their electoral votes in the 2020 election?

Answer: Both states split their electoral votes based on congressional districts.

Explanation: Maine and Nebraska employ a system where electoral votes are allocated based on the popular vote winner in each congressional district, with the at-large votes also awarded based on the statewide winner. In 2020, Maine split its votes (2-1), and Nebraska split its votes (4-1).

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The 2020 Presidential Election Certification

The joint session of Congress convened on January 6-7, 2021, was primarily for the formal counting of Electoral College ballots, not to debate potential reforms to the Electoral College system.

Answer: True

Explanation: The joint session's principal constitutional duty was to formally count the Electoral College votes, thereby certifying the election outcome, rather than debating systemic reforms.

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An objection to a state's electoral votes requires support from both a Representative and a Senator to be considered by Congress.

Answer: True

Explanation: Under the Electoral Count Act of 1887, an objection to a state's electoral votes must be joined by at least one Representative and one Senator to be considered.

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The U.S. Capitol was stormed by protestors during the debate on Arizona's electoral votes, not Pennsylvania's.

Answer: True

Explanation: The storming of the U.S. Capitol by protestors occurred during the debate on Arizona's electoral votes, leading to an adjournment of the joint session.

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Congress reconvened on the evening of January 6, 2021, following the securing of the Capitol building.

Answer: True

Explanation: After the Capitol building was secured by law enforcement, Congress reconvened later that evening, January 6, 2021, to continue the certification process.

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The Senate overwhelmingly rejected the objection to Arizona's electoral votes, with a vote of 93 against and 6 in favor.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Senate voted 93 to 6 against the objection to Arizona's electoral votes, demonstrating significant opposition to the challenge.

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The House of Representatives voted 121 in favor and 303 against the objection to Arizona's electoral votes, thus rejecting it.

Answer: True

Explanation: The House of Representatives voted 121 in favor and 303 against the objection to Arizona's electoral votes, thus rejecting it.

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The Senate voted 92-7 to defeat the objection to Pennsylvania's electoral votes.

Answer: True

Explanation: The objection to Pennsylvania's electoral votes was defeated in the Senate by a vote of 92 against and 7 in favor.

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Joe Biden and Kamala Harris secured the necessary electoral votes to win the presidency around 3:33 AM EST on January 7, 2021.

Answer: True

Explanation: The final count confirming Joe Biden and Kamala Harris's victory, surpassing the 270 electoral vote threshold, was achieved around 3:33 AM EST on January 7, 2021.

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The Electoral Count Act of 1887 established the procedural requirement that any objection to a state's electoral votes must be supported by at least one Representative and one Senator.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Electoral Count Act of 1887 established the procedural requirement that any objection to a state's electoral votes must be supported by at least one Representative and one Senator.

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In the House of Representatives, the vote against the objection to Pennsylvania's electoral votes was 282, while 138 representatives voted in favor of the objection.

Answer: True

Explanation: In the House of Representatives, the vote against the objection to Pennsylvania's electoral votes was 282, while 138 representatives voted in favor of the objection.

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The Senate rejected the objection to Arizona's electoral votes with a decisive vote of 93 against and 6 in favor.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Senate rejected the objection to Arizona's electoral votes with a decisive vote of 93 against and 6 in favor.

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In the House of Representatives, 282 members voted against the objection to Pennsylvania's electoral votes, while 138 voted in favor.

Answer: True

Explanation: In the House of Representatives, 282 members voted against the objection to Pennsylvania's electoral votes, while 138 voted in favor.

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The 'certificate of ascertainment' is the official document submitted by each state that lists the electors selected to cast the state's electoral votes.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'certificate of ascertainment' is the official document submitted by each state that lists the electors selected to cast the state's electoral votes.

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The 'certificate of ascertainment' details the popular vote outcome and chosen electors, whereas the 'certificate of vote' records the votes cast by the electors themselves.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'certificate of ascertainment' details the popular vote outcome and chosen electors, whereas the 'certificate of vote' records the votes cast by the electors themselves.

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The formal counting and certification of Electoral College votes during the joint session of Congress represents the concluding constitutional procedure for confirming a presidential election victory.

Answer: True

Explanation: The formal counting and certification of Electoral College votes during the joint session of Congress represents the concluding constitutional procedure for confirming a presidential election victory.

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What was the main constitutional duty performed during the joint session of Congress on January 6-7, 2021?

Answer: To formally count the Electoral College ballots submitted by each state.

Explanation: The primary constitutional duty of the joint session of Congress on January 6-7, 2021, was the formal counting of the Electoral College ballots to certify the presidential election results.

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For an objection to a state's electoral votes to be formally considered by Congress, what procedural requirement must be met?

Answer: It must be joined by a Representative and a Senator.

Explanation: Under the Electoral Count Act of 1887, an objection to a state's electoral votes requires the support of at least one member from the House of Representatives and one member from the Senate to be considered.

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During which state's electoral vote debate did protestors storm the U.S. Capitol building?

Answer: Arizona

Explanation: The storming of the U.S. Capitol building by protestors occurred during the debate on Arizona's electoral votes.

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What was the Senate's vote count on the objection to Arizona's electoral votes?

Answer: 6 in favor, 93 against

Explanation: The Senate voted 6 in favor and 93 against the objection to Arizona's electoral votes, decisively rejecting the challenge.

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Which document submitted by states identifies the chosen electors and the final popular vote count?

Answer: Certificate of Ascertainment

Explanation: The 'certificate of ascertainment' is the official document submitted by each state that identifies the chosen electors and reflects the final popular vote count within that state.

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What was the House's vote count regarding the objection to Pennsylvania's electoral votes?

Answer: 138 in favor, 282 against

Explanation: In the House of Representatives, 138 members voted in favor of the objection to Pennsylvania's electoral votes, while 282 voted against it.

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What was the total number of votes against the objection to Pennsylvania's electoral votes in the House?

Answer: 282

Explanation: In the House of Representatives, 282 members voted against the objection to Pennsylvania's electoral votes.

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Challenges and Controversies Surrounding the 2020 Election

The 'fake electors plot' involved the coordination of submitting competing slates of electors in seven states, with the objective of preventing Joe Biden from achieving the necessary electoral vote threshold for victory.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'fake electors plot' involved submitting competing slates of electors in seven states, not six, with the aim of preventing Joe Biden from reaching the required electoral vote threshold.

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On December 18, 2020, allies of President Trump proposed that the President issue an executive order authorizing the military to seize voting machines.

Answer: True

Explanation: During a meeting on December 18, 2020, Trump allies presented a proposal for the President to issue an executive order directing the military to seize voting machines.

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Representative Louis Gohmert's lawsuit against Vice President Pence sought to empower Pence to unilaterally decide the election's outcome.

Answer: True

Explanation: The lawsuit filed by Representative Louis Gohmert aimed to grant Vice President Pence the authority to unilaterally determine the outcome of the election.

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Louis Gohmert's lawsuit against Vice President Pence was ultimately dismissed and not upheld by the courts.

Answer: True

Explanation: The lawsuit filed by Representative Louis Gohmert against Vice President Pence was dismissed by the courts, specifically for lack of standing, and this dismissal was affirmed on appeal.

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Approximately 140 House Republicans indicated their intention to vote against counting electoral votes.

Answer: True

Explanation: A substantial bloc of approximately 140 House Republicans signaled their intent to object to the certification of electoral votes.

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Objections were raised in the House for Georgia, Michigan, and Nevada, but these failed to proceed because no Senator joined in supporting them.

Answer: True

Explanation: Objections initiated in the House concerning Georgia, Michigan, and Nevada did not advance because they lacked the required co-sponsorship from a Senator.

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A total of 139 Republican representatives voted to sustain objections to electoral votes.

Answer: True

Explanation: 139 Republican representatives, along with eight Republican senators, voted to sustain one or more objections to the electoral votes.

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A total of 139 Republican representatives voted to sustain objections to electoral votes.

Answer: True

Explanation: A total of 139 Republican representatives cast votes in favor of sustaining objections to electoral votes.

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The objection to Wisconsin's electoral votes failed because it lacked co-sponsorship from any Senator.

Answer: True

Explanation: An objection raised in the House regarding Wisconsin's electoral votes could not proceed because no Senator joined as a co-sponsor.

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Companies such as Morgan Stanley and Marriott announced they would suspend political contributions to lawmakers who voted against certifying the election results.

Answer: True

Explanation: Companies such as Morgan Stanley and Marriott declared they would suspend political contributions to lawmakers who voted against certifying the election results.

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Representative Louis Gohmert's lawsuit challenged the constitutionality of the Electoral Count Act of 1887, but the suit was dismissed by the courts for lack of standing, not on its constitutional merits.

Answer: True

Explanation: Representative Louis Gohmert's lawsuit challenged the constitutionality of the Electoral Count Act of 1887, but the suit was dismissed by the courts for lack of standing, not on its constitutional merits.

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The dismissal of Representative Louis Gohmert's lawsuit against Vice President Pence was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Answer: True

Explanation: The dismissal of Representative Louis Gohmert's lawsuit against Vice President Pence was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

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What was the 'fake electors plot' designed to achieve?

Answer: To submit competing slates of electors to prevent Biden from reaching 270 votes.

Explanation: The 'fake electors plot' aimed to submit alternative slates of electors in key states, intending to prevent Joe Biden from accumulating the 270 electoral votes required for victory.

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What controversial proposal did Trump allies, including Michael Flynn and Sidney Powell, present to President Trump on December 18, 2020?

Answer: An executive order authorizing the military to seize voting machines.

Explanation: On December 18, 2020, Trump allies proposed that President Trump issue an executive order authorizing the military to seize voting machines.

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Representative Louis Gohmert's lawsuit against Vice President Pence was ultimately dismissed based on which legal principle?

Answer: Lack of standing

Explanation: The lawsuit filed by Representative Louis Gohmert against Vice President Pence was dismissed by the courts primarily on the legal principle of 'lack of standing'.

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What was the approximate number of House Republicans who indicated they would vote against counting the electoral votes?

Answer: Around 140

Explanation: Approximately 140 House Republicans indicated their intention to vote against counting the electoral votes.

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Which of the following states was NOT involved in the 'fake electors plot'?

Answer: Florida

Explanation: The seven states involved in the 'fake electors plot' were Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin, Nevada, and New Mexico. Florida was not among them.

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Following the January 6th events, which companies announced they would halt political contributions to members who voted against certifying the election?

Answer: Morgan Stanley and Marriott

Explanation: Companies such as Morgan Stanley and Marriott declared they would suspend political contributions to lawmakers who voted against certifying the election results.

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Which of the following was NOT a state where objections were raised in the House but failed due to lack of Senate co-sponsorship?

Answer: Pennsylvania

Explanation: Objections were raised in the House for Georgia, Michigan, and Nevada, but not Pennsylvania, and failed due to a lack of Senate co-sponsorship.

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The Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022

The Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 was sponsored by Senators Susan Collins and Joe Manchin, not Ted Cruz and Mike Lee.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 was sponsored by Senators Susan Collins and Joe Manchin. Ted Cruz and Mike Lee were not its primary sponsors.

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Contrary to expanding the Vice President's authority, the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 explicitly limited the VP's role to a ministerial one, preventing them from rejecting electoral votes.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 clarified that the Vice President's role in presiding over the electoral count is ministerial, explicitly prohibiting them from unilaterally accepting or rejecting electoral votes.

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A provision of the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 restricts state legislatures from declaring an election 'failed,' limiting such declarations to extraordinary circumstances.

Answer: True

Explanation: A provision of the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 restricts state legislatures from declaring an election 'failed,' limiting such declarations to extraordinary circumstances.

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What change did the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 introduce regarding the Vice President's role during the electoral count?

Answer: The VP's role was clarified as purely ministerial, without power to alter the count.

Explanation: The Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 clarified that the Vice President's role in presiding over the electoral count is ministerial, explicitly prohibiting them from unilaterally accepting or rejecting electoral votes.

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What legislative reform was enacted in December 2022 to address issues related to the electoral vote count process?

Answer: The Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act

Explanation: The Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022 was enacted in December 2022 to reform the process for counting electoral votes.

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Which two senators were the primary sponsors of the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022?

Answer: Susan Collins and Joe Manchin

Explanation: The Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 was primarily sponsored by Senators Susan Collins and Joe Manchin.

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Key Individuals and Their Actions

Rudy Giuliani has been identified as a primary coordinator of the 'fake electors plot'.

Answer: True

Explanation: Sources indicate that Rudy Giuliani played a key role in coordinating the 'fake electors plot' in December 2020.

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President Trump urged Vice President Pence to delay or obstruct the certification of electoral votes and suggested Pence had the authority to reject electoral votes, rather than specifically to accept the 'fake electors'' submissions.

Answer: True

Explanation: President Trump urged Vice President Pence to delay or obstruct the certification of electoral votes and suggested Pence had the authority to reject electoral votes, rather than specifically to accept the 'fake electors'' submissions.

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Vice President Pence stated he did not possess the constitutional authority to unilaterally block or reject the counting of electoral votes.

Answer: True

Explanation: Vice President Pence explicitly stated that he did not have the constitutional authority to block the counting of electoral votes.

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A leaked voicemail attributed to Rudy Giuliani indicated a strategy of objecting to electoral votes with the explicit aim of delaying the certification process.

Answer: True

Explanation: A leaked voicemail attributed to Rudy Giuliani indicated a strategy of objecting to electoral votes with the explicit aim of delaying the certification process.

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Senator Kelly Loeffler withdrew her planned objection to Georgia's electoral votes after the storming of the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021.

Answer: True

Explanation: Senator Kelly Loeffler withdrew her objection to Georgia's electoral votes following the storming of the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021.

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Representative Cori Bush introduced a resolution advocating for the expulsion of Republican members of Congress who voted against certifying the 2020 election results.

Answer: True

Explanation: Representative Cori Bush introduced a resolution advocating for the expulsion of Republican members of Congress who voted against certifying the 2020 election results.

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Senator Ben Sasse was critical of Republican colleagues who challenged the election results, referring to their actions as 'institutional arson'.

Answer: True

Explanation: Senator Ben Sasse was critical of Republican colleagues who challenged the election results, referring to their actions as 'institutional arson'.

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Boris Epshteyn has acknowledged his involvement in discussions concerning the 'fake electors plot,' contrary to denying any participation.

Answer: True

Explanation: Boris Epshteyn has acknowledged his involvement in discussions concerning the 'fake electors plot,' contrary to denying any participation.

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Which individual is identified in the source as the coordinator of the 'fake electors plot' in December 2020?

Answer: Rudy Giuliani

Explanation: Rudy Giuliani has been identified as a primary coordinator of the 'fake electors plot' during December 2020.

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What was Vice President Pence's response regarding his authority over the electoral vote count?

Answer: He stated he did not have the constitutional authority to block the count.

Explanation: Vice President Pence asserted that he did not possess the constitutional authority to unilaterally block or reject the counting of electoral votes.

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Senator Kelly Loeffler ultimately decided not to object to Georgia's electoral votes after what event?

Answer: After the storming of the U.S. Capitol building.

Explanation: Following the violent events of the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, Senator Kelly Loeffler withdrew her planned objection to Georgia's electoral votes.

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What did Senator Ben Sasse call the Republican members of Congress who sought to overturn the election results?

Answer: Institutional arsonists

Explanation: Senator Ben Sasse referred to Republican members of Congress who sought to overturn the election results as 'institutional arsonists'.

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