Today is the day. Electors from around the country will convene at their local state capitals today to officially cast their Electoral College votes and to formally nominate Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States. But a small group of rogue electors are trying to throw a wrench in the process – arguing that the Constitution allows enough room for members of the Electoral College to vote against Trump (and their constituents) and deny him the presidency.
Needless to say, it’s a longshot.
One of the most outspoken electors voting against Trump is Christopher Suprun who has made a number of videos with progressive super PAC MoveOn.org. Suprun is a member of the Electoral College from Texas’s 30th Congressional District.
In his second video with MoveOn.Org, Suprun says that he will not cast his vote for Trump “because he has proven over the past 18 months he’s a demagogue, breaking us down by race, ethnicity, man or woman, how much money you make.”
Suprun continues by alluding to recent revelations from the American intelligence community that Russia intervened in the U.S. election on Trump’s behalf. “Mr. Trump has shown again and again that he is unfit to lead our foreign policy,” Suprun says. “Mr. Trump has got a number of conflicts of interest internationally and for decades has played fast and loose with the rules.”
“I want to exercise my vote to cast a ballot for someone who doesn’t have these conflicts.”
Depending on what report you decide to read, you may hear that as many as 20 electors are flipping their votes from Trump to Hillary Clinton. But even that were the case, the “Hamilton Electors” would still need another 17 dissenters to join their cause to actually steal the election from Trump.
Since 1900, only nine members of the Electoral College have either flipped their vote or abstained.
Needless to say, it’s a longshot.
The Last Stand of the ‘Hamilton Electors?’
This merry group of rogue electors has been dubbed the “Hamilton Electors” – a play on Alexander Hamilton’s part in creating the Electoral College. Not to mention, “Hamilton Electors” has a much nicer ring to it than “faithless electors,” as they are often called.One of the most outspoken electors voting against Trump is Christopher Suprun who has made a number of videos with progressive super PAC MoveOn.org. Suprun is a member of the Electoral College from Texas’s 30th Congressional District.
In his second video with MoveOn.Org, Suprun says that he will not cast his vote for Trump “because he has proven over the past 18 months he’s a demagogue, breaking us down by race, ethnicity, man or woman, how much money you make.”
Suprun continues by alluding to recent revelations from the American intelligence community that Russia intervened in the U.S. election on Trump’s behalf. “Mr. Trump has shown again and again that he is unfit to lead our foreign policy,” Suprun says. “Mr. Trump has got a number of conflicts of interest internationally and for decades has played fast and loose with the rules.”
“I want to exercise my vote to cast a ballot for someone who doesn’t have these conflicts.”
The Long Odds of an Electoral College Flip
Despite valiant efforts from progressive super PACs, #NeverTrump legislators, Hollywood celebrities and rogue “Hamilton Electors,” the possibility of denying Trump an Electoral College victory continues to be extremely unlikely.Depending on what report you decide to read, you may hear that as many as 20 electors are flipping their votes from Trump to Hillary Clinton. But even that were the case, the “Hamilton Electors” would still need another 17 dissenters to join their cause to actually steal the election from Trump.
Since 1900, only nine members of the Electoral College have either flipped their vote or abstained.