[20200710]LSB10515_最高法院澄清选举团规则：各州可能会限制不忠实的选民.pdf

CRS Legal Sidebar Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Legal SidebarLegal Sidebari i Supreme Court Clarifies Rules for Electoral College: States May Restrict Faithless Electors July 10, 2020 On July 6, 2020, the Supreme Court unanimously held that states may punish or replace presidential electors who refuse to cast their ballots for the candidate chosen by the voters of their state. In the case Chiafalo v. Washington, a majority of the Court held that the State of Washingtons constitutional authority to appoint electors includes the power to impose a $1,000 fine against electors who violate their pledge to support the candidate chosen in the states popular vote. In the related case Colorado Department of State v. Baca, the Court upheld on the same grounds Colorados policy of replacing electors who attempt to cast a ballot for a person who did not win the states popular vote. This Legal Sidebar explains the Courts decisions and reviews their broader implications. Background Article II of the Constitution provides, “Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representative