Electoral College: Only 1/2 Must Vote for Winner

[Total Refected Power]

I heard this morning that only half of the electoral votes out there are required by law to vote for the popular vote winner in their state (fines, jail if they don't). That leaves the others to do as they please, but very rarely do they deviate. However, with Gore winning the overall popular vote I wonder if there will be any suprises on Dec. 18. I guess if Gore concedes then no, but if it gets tied up in the courts all bets are off.

 

[FettsBabe]

Don't know. I've always felt that the popular vote should determine the President. Gore hasn't won the overall popular vote yet because Oregon and Florida are still in the "to close to call" area. I guess we will wait and see. I heard they should announce it at 5 today. Anyone else heard anything?

 

[thebestMAX]

Well, we havent had a president for almost 8 years now so a few more hours really dont matter.

Any cases where the losing candidate didnt concede?

 

[Total Refected Power]

Jeffferson Davis.

 

[BigSmooth]

TRP: the electors are chosen by the party in each state, and they are chosen because they are party loyalists. They would only change their vote if they were corrupt or not as "loyal" as they made themselves out to be. If I was an elector and I didn't vote for who I was supposed to in an election this close and it ended up making a difference, I would honestly fear for my life.

FettsBabe: Gore is leading the popular vote by something like 250,000 out of 100,500,000 votes cast... much less than 1%. Of course, they are still counting FL and OR and finishing up the count in a few other states.

 

[Total Refected Power]

Bigsmooth: Yes, it almost always falls that way but if there is a ground-swelling for the popular vote candidate then perhaps a few could be turned to the dark side.. uhh I mean, GORE.