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The Electoral College is a system in the United States that determines who becomes president. It is made up of 538 electors, who are chosen by each state based on its population. When you vote for president, you are actually voting for a slate of electors who are pledged to vote for a particular candidate. In most states, the candidate who wins the popular vote also wins all of the state's electoral votes. However, there are a few states where this is not the case. In these states, it is possible for a candidate to win the popular vote but lose the electoral vote, and therefore the presidency.
This is what happened in the 2016 election, when Donald Trump won the presidency despite losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton. This was due to the fact that Trump won several key states by narrow margins, which gave him enough electoral votes to win the presidency. This has led to calls to reform the Electoral College, with some people arguing that it is undemocratic and should be replaced with a popular vote system.
One way that the Electoral College could be subverted is through the use of faithless electors. Faithless electors are electors who do not vote for the candidate they are pledged to. This is a rare occurrence, but it has happened a few times in the past. In 2016, for example, there were seven faithless electors who voted for candidates other than the ones they were pledged to. This did not change the outcome of the election, but it did highlight the potential for faithless electors to disrupt the Electoral College.
There are a few reasons why electors might become faithless. One reason is if they believe that the candidate they are pledged to is unfit for office. Another reason is if they believe that the candidate they are pledged to does not have a chance of winning. In some cases, electors may also be bribed or coerced into voting for a different candidate.
The use of faithless electors is a controversial issue. Some people argue that it is a legitimate way for electors to exercise their own judgment and vote for the candidate they believe is best for the country. Others argue that it is a violation of the democratic process and that electors should be held to their pledges. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to allow faithless electors is up to each state.
How Faithless Electors Could Subvert the Electoral College
- By voting for a different candidate than the one they are pledged to.
- By not voting at all.
- By casting a blank ballot.
Why Electors Might Become Faithless
- They believe that the candidate they are pledged to is unfit for office.
- They believe that the candidate they are pledged to does not have a chance of winning.
- They may be bribed or coerced into voting for a different candidate.
The Controversy Surrounding Faithless Electors
- Some people argue that it is a legitimate way for electors to exercise their own judgment and vote for the candidate they believe is best for the country.
- Others argue that it is a violation of the democratic process and that electors should be held to their pledges.
The Decision of Whether or Not to Allow Faithless Electors Is Up to Each State
There is no federal law that prohibits faithless electors. However, some states have laws that require electors to vote for the candidate they are pledged to. These laws are often challenged in court, and the courts have generally ruled in favor of the electors' right to vote their conscience.