Filmmaker Michael Moore has a message for Republican members of the electoral college: go rogue and don’t vote for Trump today and I will pay your state fines.
Today, the 538 members of the electoral college will meet and officially cast their votes for the next President of the United States. In most states, state electors are pledged to vote according to the voting results of their state, if they don’t the states impose a fine. Michael Moore says he will pay this fine.
On Sunday, Michael Moore posted a public letter on his Facebook page, stating:
“Some states have made it ‘illegal’ for you to vote any other way than for Trump. If you don’t vote for him, your state will fine you … So here’s my offer to you: I obviously can’t and won’t give you money to vote tomorrow, but if you do vote your conscience and you are punished for it, I will personally step up pay your fine which is my legal right to do.”
Republican Electors — If you vote your conscience at noon and your state fines you for this, I will pay your fine: https://t.co/LIFVD4xjD4
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) December 19, 2016
A few electors have already publicly stated that they will reject Trump, including Republican Chris Suprun of Texas, who believes Trump is in violation of the Constitution for retaining ownership over his business empire while President.
According to The National Conference of State Legislatures, “Some states have passed laws that require their electors to vote as pledged. These laws may either impose a fine on an elector who fails to vote according to the statewide or district popular vote, or may disqualify an elector who violates his or her pledge and provide a replacement elector.”
Currently 30 states have such laws. However, “No elector has ever been penalized or replaced – nor have these laws been fully vetted by the courts.”
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