Politics

States target faithless electors ahead of presidential contest

Illinois, Tennessee and Virginia have adopted changes requiring electors to stick to their pledged candidate.
Michigan Electoral College electors after they cast their votes for President and Vice President of the United States at the state Capitol, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020 in Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, Pool)

In the midst of another chaotic presidential contest, states are seeking to add safeguards to the post-election process, including by ensuring that electoral votes go to the right candidate.

Illinois this month became the latest state to undercut what are known as faithless electors, who attempt to cast an Electoral College vote for a candidate who didn’t win their state’s popular vote. Legislation signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) earlier this month requires presidential electors to pledge to vote for their party’s presidential and vice presidential nominees when the electoral college meets after the election.

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