The Electoral College Gives Us Our Last Glimmer Of Hope

The Electoral College will meet today to determine the next President of the United States. Usually, this meeting is a formality, but since nothing in the Constitution or federal law binds electors to vote according to their state’s selection, many Democrats are hoping for an epic plot twist. Although it’s a long shot, it is possible. Only some state laws force electors to vote according to their state’s popular vote, and although some states may penalize or fine electors who vote against their state’s selection, the Supreme Court has never weighed in on whether penalties are constitutional. Election Day is a big waste of time compared to Elector Day, the real deciding factor. And what with new information regarding Russia’s alleged attempts to intervene in the election, our electoral overlords could rescind President-elect Trump’s victory and give us someone else. So now we wait with bated breath for 538 people to actually determine the next Commander in Chief because democracy is a funny thing.