Political Dictionary
A faithless elector is an Electoral College member who does not vote for the presidential ticket the elector was expected or pledged to support.
Definition
A faithless elector is a presidential elector who casts a ballot for someone other than the candidate the elector was chosen or pledged to support, or who refuses to vote as expected. States use different rules, including pledges, replacement procedures, and penalties.
Why It Matters
Faithless electors raise questions about whether electors exercise independent judgment or perform a binding administrative role. Although they have rarely changed an outcome, they attract attention in close elections.
How It Works
Electors meet after the general election. A faithless elector may attempt to cast an unexpected vote. State law may count the vote, cancel it, replace the elector, or impose a penalty.
History
The original constitutional design allowed electors greater discretion, but political parties quickly developed pledged slates. The Supreme Court has upheld state authority to enforce elector pledges under certain laws.
Example
An elector pledged to Candidate A instead casts a vote for another person as a protest.
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