Okay, suckers, listen up.
The electoral college hasn’t voted yet.
They don’t vote until December. And while 29 states and DC have laws requiring electors to vote along state lines, the rest don’t.
Donald Trump only got a few votes (nine) into the majority.
If a handful of electors swing or even abstain and become faithless electors, the entire system would get thrown into crisis.
These are the states that require electors to vote according to state popular vote. That leaves:
All states where electors can do whatever the hell they want. In fact, even in the other states electors are only subject to a small fine.
So, in summary, until December you can harass the hell out of your electors (list found here). Remind them who won the popular vote. Remind them of their duty to protect the nation. Tell them how the presidency will affect you directly. A faithless elector is a pretty big deal, and even one of two would make a big impact in terms of showing how awful our presumptive president elect is.
This fight isn’t over yet.
I just finished sending this email to all of the governors who preside over states that went red this election, and whose electoral college representatives are legally allowed to be “faithless electors” (meaning they are allowed to go against what their state voted for.) Here is the list of the governors, the site to contact them, and the letter that I used.
I know it is very very unlikely to happen, but I feel like I must do something and this is what I can do right now. If you feel like you must do something, feel free to contact these governors and use my letter (or your own if you feel so inclined).
The Governors:
Idaho | C. L. Otter | https://gov.idaho.gov/ourgov/contact.html
Utah | Gary Herbert | https://gocentral.utah.gov/Request/Contact?response=false
Arizona | Doug Ducey | http://azgovernor.gov/engage/form/contact-governor-ducey
North Dakota | Jack Dalrymple | https://www.governor.nd.gov/contact-us
South Dakota | Dennis Daugaard | http://sd.gov/governor/contact/contact.aspx
Kansas | Sam Brownback | http://www.governor.ks.gov/serving-kansans/constituent-services/legislation-and-policy-issues
Texas | Greg Abbott | https://gov.texas.gov/contact/assistance.aspx
Louisiana | John Bel Edwards | http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/form/home/4
Missouri | Jay Nixon | https://governor.mo.gov/get-involved/contact-the-governors-office
Iowa | Terry Branstad | https://governor.iowa.gov/constituent-services/register-an-opinion
Illinois | Bruce Rauner | https://www.illinois.gov/gov/contactus/Pages/VoiceAnOpinion.aspx
Arkansas | Asa Hutchinson | http://governor.arkansas.gov/contact-info
Georgia
Tennessee | Bill Haslam | http://www.tn.gov/governor/topic/contact
Kentucky | Matt Bevin | http://governor.ky.gov/Pages/contact.aspx
West Virginia | Earl Ray Tomblin | http://www.governor.wv.gov/Pages/SubmitaCommenttotheGovernor.aspx
Pennsylvania | Tom Wolf | https://www.governor.pa.gov/contact/
The Letter:
Dear Governor <insert name>,
I am writing to you today to urge you to advise your electoral college representatives to become a faithless elector on December 19th.
For the second time in less than 20 years, our President Elect is the person who was not chosen by the popular vote, and instead by an outdated electoral college system. This system was created to protect the American government from leaders who are not qualified for the Presidency and would most certainly bring about its failure. Alexander Hamilton stated that he believed it’s creation would ensure “the office of President will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications.” I cannot think of a man most lacking in “requisite qualifications” than Donald Trump.
He has never held political office, nor been in our military, nor been a student of law or politics. How can we expect America to be led by someone who not only has no experience, but who has also refused to educate himself on foreign and domestic policies. He is a man who won over Americans with money, fear mongering, bullying, and empty promises. He has bragged about assaulting women, has mocked a disabled reporter, and has incited violence against his opponents at his own rallies. Is he really the person that you want to represent our country? Is he really the person that you want foreign leaders to meet with and come to agreements with? Is he really the person you want trusted with our national security?
I can tell you, that the majority of Americans do not, and our votes reflect this in the general election.
Already, his victory has created a hostile and tumultuous environment for the American people. Schools, churches, and other places of worship have been gratified with Nazi symbols, and hate slurs. Flags and personal property have been set on fire. Students, women, and people of color have been targeted, threatened, harassed, and assaulted. Millions of Americans now fear for their safety, and fear that the protections that have been put in place over the span of 50 years, will suddenly disappear. This is not the America that I know. This is not the America that we can live with for four years.
You have the power to fix this broken system and save the future of our country. There is too much at stake to let political divides and party rivalries dismantle the progress America has made. We are a diverse and beautiful country full of hard workers, dreamers, and free thinkers. Donald Trump is not the man who can lead us to further greatness. He only thinks of himself. He only wants power.
I urge you to think on this. To listen to the voices that are crying out in America right now. To really imagine our future with this billionaire as the leader of our country. And when the time comes, please, urge your electoral college representatives to do the same. You are our only hope of actually making America great again.
This might get you nowhere. Yes, it’s a long shot—but you have to let them know that you will not be going down without a fight. You, a citizen of the United States of America, have to let them know that this is not your president.
