Bernie or Bust WA electors refuse to vote for Hillary. Are they allowed to do this?!

[Rocknrule]

http://www.vox.com/2016/11/6/13540504/electors-electoral-college-washington

It could all come down to the Electoral College. Two Washington State electors are now signaling that they’ll refuse to vote for Hillary Clinton, even if the voters hand her the state.

Robert Satiacum, a former Bernie Sanders supporter, told the Seattle Times that he will refuse to support Clinton no matter what. A second elector from Washington State, Bret Chiafalo, is saying that he may or may not follow his state’s results.

“No, no, no on Hillary. Absolutely not. No way,” said Satiacum in a telephone interview with the newspaper, which reached him as he was protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline. “I hope it comes down to a swing vote and it’s me ... Good. She ain’t getting it. Maybe it’ll wake this country up.”



Now I'm fairly confident that this stunt won't make a difference, but FUCK it makes me angry. Isn't this considered subverting the will of the people if they do it?

[Bucky]

1. this is America. Welcome to the 18th century

[MFM008]

3. This pisses me off

I live in WA and would like to have a few words with this asshole.

[Rocknrule]

4. I want to move to Wash state someday

but if we get stuck with Trump because of these self-righteous pricks, I'm boycotting that state

[thucythucy]

5. I hope Bernie calls them both personally.

They shouldn't let their personal peeves disenfranchise millions of their fellow citizens.

[andym]

7. They should have never been allowed to become electors, since they are thwarting democracy

such as it is in the US.

[tymorial]

8. Yup

Just like there are asshat electors on the right who refuse to vote for Clinton regardless the popular vote. Narcissism isn't partied.

[Doctor Jack]

10. People seem to be saying that there are legal ways to replace them

No biggie

[DFW]

11. The electors don't formally vote until December

There is time to replace them. I don't know if there if time for any procedure to get it done though. I have no clue on the laws in Washington State covering this.

[ham_actor]

13. It's the Constitution

Under our constitution as currently formulated the voters choose electors an the electors choose the president and vice president. The original intent of this system was to put the choice of executive leadership into the hands of (white) men of property, substance and education, much like themselves and keep it out of the hands of the people. Like so many other aspects of our constitutional system it is undemocratic and meant to be so as the founders feared the tyranny of the majority. Electors are not bound by the constitution or law to vote for any candidate. Political parties choose electors who they assume for good reason will vote for their nominee in the Electoral College. It's not uncommon for one or a few electors to break from the party and vote differently.

If you don't like it then change the constitution to a direct election though I would be wary and consider all the possible ramifications of doing so.

[LiberalFighter]

14. He and anyone else that does not vote for Hillary will suffer the consequences.

Whatever they may be. And there will be many.