The electoral college is one of the least understood concepts in our form of government.
When you cast your vote for President, you aren’t voting for the person, you are voting for a slate of electors nominated by each party in each state.
In Texas, the Republican Party selects the electors at the state convention, and then if (and it usally happens this way) the Republican candidate for President wins the majority of votes in Texas, those 38 individuals head to Washington D.C. and cast their vote for the nominee.
Presumably the Democratic Party has a similar mechanism, but it’s been so long since a Democrat has won Texas that it’s not worth researching.
But, unlike many states, Texas electors aren’t bound to a candidate or party; even though they were nominated by a party.
That brings us to Chris Suprun.
He is a Texas elector who is supposed to vote for Donald Trump.
But he says he’s voting for Hillary Clinton.
And if enough ‘rogue electors’ join him, the next President of the United States will be Hillary Clinton, and not Donald Trump.
“I’m not a professional politician. I’ve got no training on this one,” said Suprun. “The nominee is … saying things that in an otherwise typical election year would have you disqualified,” says Suprun, “I’m still amazed he (Trump) made it through the process,” he said. “I’m not sure who his voters were or how they identify him with what I would consider Republican principles of small government.”
He went on to say that he is considering casting his electoral vote for Hillary Clinton since Donald Trump isn’t a Republican or a conservative and he would rather have a bad Democrat in office than a fake Republican. (paraphrased)
Politico reports:
Suprun said he ran for elector with the intention of supporting his party’s nominee. But he lamented that the institution had become a “check-the-box” routine. He also argued that his home — Texas’ 30th Congressional District, centering on Dallas — is likely to support Clinton. That, he argued, should be a factor in his obligation to represent the district in the Electoral College.
“These constituents aren’t supporting Mr. Trump,” he said, arguing that the Founding Fathers charged electors to “take a look at all the facts, figure it out and make the right call.”
If just one elector per state that Trump won goes rogue, as Elector Chris Suprun here in Texas looks like he will, then it will be Hillary, not Trump taking the oath of office in January.
What do you think about this elector? Chime in below the advertisement so we know what you think!
He needs to remove that uniform if he can not follow his word that he gave when selected.
Again, just how corrupt is america, what does it take to change our government to an honest governing body not corrupted by money or power and work for the people , god should intervene with another flood , an basically take out the trash
It should stand as is. We the American people voted Donald Trump in and thats what we want. It should not change period.
Definitely will start a civil war if this happens !!!
Congress would have to approve that in January. With the majority being republican I don’t see that happening.
A lot of arrogance in thinking you have a better reading than all of the people in your constituency. I could see a supreme court ruling here that would over rule the thinking of one individual vs sworn citizenry
Actually, we go to Austin on in December 19th to vote and the Texas Secretary of State will send the results to Washington.
Elector, Congressional District 24.
One’s coming anyway.
A Civil War for sure and I will start it. I took the oath and swore to God on it
This is bullshit. Chris Suprun would never in a million years vote for Clinton. Good grief.
I agree with the above. This is all BE
They should follow the will of their constituents. Why do we even vote if our electors aren’t going to follow the will of the people. The reason why the electoral college was started was because back in the 17 and18 hundreds they had no of being able to count all the votes quickly. So they did it regionally. It really was never set up that the Electors could change the people’s will.
Hilary get over it ULOST the people don’t trust you
Civil War. You cannot slap the American people in the face and cater to the ones throwing temper tantrums and expect to get away with it. I’m not talking about rioting and flag burning. I’m talking about your All-American gun Toting, Constitution abiding, Bible thumping, American civil war. Good luck red carries. Blue doesn’t.
Myself and millions more will be with you. But it sounds like liberal bull shit to me.in my life I have killed for the United States and I will do it again for my President Donald Trump. All ENEMIES FORGIEN and DOMESTIC . To this I swear to God. 1LT H. Martin 75 Ranger Reg Recon LRRP.
Vietnam
As you said, HBM, this will not happen. It could be liberal bull shit.
On the other hand, it could be Republican paranoia.
Relax, Trump will be sworn in. Cheers !!
Go ahead and try it. I dare you.
Well, it doesn’t quite work as presented in this article. You see, Hillary already conceded the election to Donald Trump and that now “Trumps” the electoral college attempting to change things. Regardless, If a petition is submitted to change electors then that must go to the Republican majority congress and they would have to accept the changed electoral votes, and, they would need a minimum of 38 changed electorate votes. But the point is still moot because Hillary already conceded.