What did the Supreme Court decide about the Electoral College in the 2020 decision Chiafalo v Washington?

Washington, 591 U.S. ___ (2020), was a United States Supreme Court case on the issue of “faithless electors” in the Electoral College stemming from the 2016 United States presidential election. The Court ruled unanimously that states have the ability to enforce an elector’s pledge in presidential elections.

Who decides Electoral College members?

Who selects the electors? Choosing each State’s electors is a two-part process. First, the political parties in each State choose slates of potential electors sometime before the general election. Second, during the general election, the voters in each State select their State’s electors by casting their ballots.

Why are faithless electors a problem?

Thus, a faithless elector runs the risk of party censure and political retaliation from their party, as well as potential legal penalties in some states. Candidates for electors are nominated by state political parties in the months prior to Election Day.

What was the purpose of the twenty-third amendment?

The Amendment allows American citizens residing in the District of Columbia to vote for presidential electors, who in turn vote in the Electoral College for President and Vice President. In layperson’s terms, the Amendment means that residents of the District are able to vote for President and Vice President.

Why was the 23rd Amendment needed?

​Congress explained the purpose of the Twenty-Third Amendment as follows: “The purpose of this. . . constitutional amendment is to provide the citizens of the District of Columbia with appropriate rights of voting in national elections for President and Vice President of the United States.

What does the Supreme Court’s decision on the Electoral College mean?

The Supreme Court on Monday upheld state laws requiring Electoral College representatives to support their state’s popular winner in presidential elections. The unanimous decision comes after “faithless electors” in Washington and Colorado voted contrary to who they originally promised to support.

What does the Supreme Court’s decision on faithless electors mean?

The unanimous decision comes after “faithless electors” in Washington and Colorado voted contrary to who they originally promised to support. “State election laws evolved to reinforce that development, ensuring that a State’s electors would vote the same way as its citizens,” Justice Elena Kagan wrote for the court.

Should states be allowed to eliminate electors’ discretion?

As anomalous as it may seem to use that concept in a case about the Electoral College, allowing states to eliminate electors’ discretion is surely one step in promoting popular rule.

How does the Electoral College work in the US?

The electoral college system is established in the Constitution. When voters cast a ballot for president, they are actually choosing members of the electoral college, called electors, who are pledged to that presidential candidate. The electors then choose the president.