In a decision that could have ramifications this upcoming fall, the US Supreme Court ruled states can force their presidential electors to support the candidate chosen by a majority of voters. It also gives those states the right to penalize any electors who “go rogue.”
The Supreme Court ruling was unanimous Monday. The decision, just five months before the 2020 presidential election, reduces the chance of Electoral College chaos in the event of a close outcome and possibility that some members may cast ballots contrary to vote totals in their states.
The decision was a loss for several so-called “faithless electors,” from Washington and Colorado, who were penalized by their states in 2016 after voting for a Republican presidential candidate against state laws requiring them to back the popular vote winner — the Democrat, Hillary Clinton.
They were among seven delegates nationwide who cast ballots at the Electoral College for candidates they were not pledged to support.
Thirty-two states have laws requiring presidential electors to cast ballots for the popular-vote winner; fifteen of those impose sanctions on electors who violate their pledge.
