'Faithless elector': Supreme Court will hear case that could change how presidents are chosen - NBCNews.com
'Faithless elector': Supreme Court will hear case that could change how presidents are chosen NBCNews.comSupreme Court to decide whether Electoral College voters have a right to differ from state popular vote CNBCSupreme...
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Jan 17, 2020 09:13
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WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court agreed Friday to take up an issue that could change a key element of the system America uses to elect its president, with a decision likely in the spring just as the campaign heats up.
The answer to the question could be a decisive one: Are the electors who cast the actual Electoral College ballots for president and vice president required to follow the results of the popular vote in their states? Or are they free to vote as they wish?
A decision that they are free agents could give a single elector, or a small group of them, the power to decide the outcome of a presidential election if the popular vote results in an apparent Electoral College tie or is close.
"It's not hard to imagine how a single 'faithless elector,' voting differently than his or her state did, could swing a close presidential election," said Mark Murray, NBC News senior political editor.
Faithless elector': Supreme Court will hear case that could change how presidents are chosen NBCNews.com
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