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I think today's SCOTUS decision was another nail in Trump's "reelection" (Original Post) CatWoman Jul 2020 OP
For one thing, moondust Jul 2020 #1
My thought as well kurtcagle Jul 2020 #5
It does prevent bribery kurtcagle Jul 2020 #2
He could theoretically bribe electors from states that do not have faithless elector laws. totodeinhere Jul 2020 #4
He could, but ... kurtcagle Jul 2020 #6
I know. That is why I said "theoretically." n/t totodeinhere Jul 2020 #7
I think he will lose but he could still win the Electoral College while losing the popular totodeinhere Jul 2020 #3

moondust

(19,958 posts)
1. For one thing,
Mon Jul 6, 2020, 05:32 PM
Jul 2020

it would seem to rule out the possibility of using tons and tons of campaign and donor cash to bribe electors into voting a certain way regardless of the popular vote.

Of course if the electors are no longer the "adults in the room" able to override an "unwise" decision by voters, then why even have a stupid electoral college?

kurtcagle

(1,601 posts)
5. My thought as well
Mon Jul 6, 2020, 05:38 PM
Jul 2020

The EC has been an increasingly irrelevant institution for decades now, and the SCOTUS decision, which is consistent with previous decisions, affirms that state rights need to be respected here. I believe that a constitutional amendment eliminating the electoral college could be built solidly on this decision.

kurtcagle

(1,601 posts)
2. It does prevent bribery
Mon Jul 6, 2020, 05:32 PM
Jul 2020

I don't think it likely, but there was always the possibility that Trump could, in a close election, bribe several electors. The SCOTUS decision slammed the door on that possibility ... and may actually give an indication that the SCOTUS may throw the election to the House of Representatives if it came down to a tie. That no doubt has to be giving Trump conniption fits right now.

totodeinhere

(13,056 posts)
4. He could theoretically bribe electors from states that do not have faithless elector laws.
Mon Jul 6, 2020, 05:37 PM
Jul 2020

Last edited Mon Jul 6, 2020, 06:24 PM - Edit history (1)

Not all states have those laws.

kurtcagle

(1,601 posts)
6. He could, but ...
Mon Jul 6, 2020, 05:43 PM
Jul 2020

the states that do have such laws make up the bulk of the EC, and I would not be at all surprised if the remaining states don't tighten up their own laws in light of this decision. If you're a red state governor, you no more want a contingent of delegates to have a crisis of consciousness than you would if you were blue state.

totodeinhere

(13,056 posts)
3. I think he will lose but he could still win the Electoral College while losing the popular
Mon Jul 6, 2020, 05:35 PM
Jul 2020

vote just like in 2016.

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