| Another potential problem is known as a faithless elector. Basically, an elector is under no obligation to actually vote for the candidate he was chosen to vote for. Only 24 states have laws to punish a faithless elector for their action. Only two states allow a faithless elector’s vote to be overturned, and none have ever been punished or had a vote overturned. In total there have been 158 instances of an elector voting for a different candidate than the one they were pledged to. However, many of these votes date from early in the country’s history, when candidates that electors were pledged to died before the Electoral College met. Only 85 votes have been changed through personal interest, and none have ever changed the outcome of a race. But the potential is there, and it’s hard to ignore. |