Also known as: electors · voter · electoral college member
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A person appointed by a state legislature to cast ballots for president and vice president in the electoral college. The number of such persons from each state equals its total senators and representatives in Congress, and no senator, representative, or federal officeholder may serve in that capacity.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
After the November election, the legislature of State A directs that its six electors be chosen by popular vote. Elise Everly receives the most votes statewide and is appointed as one of the electors. She meets with the other five in the state capitol to cast ballots for president and vice president.
Emily Ellis, appointed as an elector for State B, travels to the state capital on the appointed day. She and the other electors sign and certify their ballots for two candidates, ensuring one is not a resident of State B, then transmit the sealed list to the president of the Senate.
Esther Eisenberg, a qualified elector in State C, joins a taxpayer suit alleging improper federal expenditures. The court examines whether her status as an elector supplies the concrete injury needed for standing to challenge the spending program.
After a close presidential election, the Florida legislature appoints a slate of electors including Erika Echevarria. A recount controversy reaches the Supreme Court, which resolves whether varying county standards for counting ballots violate equal protection for the electors' eventual votes.
Eduardo Enriquez, an elector chosen by State D, learns that the state's legislative districts were drawn without equal population. Voters sue, claiming the malapportionment dilutes the weight of their votes that determine which electors are appointed.
Elliot Edmonds serves as an elector after State E's popular vote. A challenge arises over whether limits on contributions to the presidential campaign that selected the electors' slate comply with constitutional free-speech protections.
No senator, representative, or person holding an office of trust or profit under the United States may be appointed an elector.
Supporting sources
Each state receives a number of electors equal to its total senators and representatives in Congress.
Supporting sources
The House of Representatives chooses the president from the five highest vote recipients, with each state casting one vote and a quorum requiring members from two-thirds of the states.
Supporting sources
…§ 2, cl. 3; in the Migration and Importation provision, Art. I, § 9, cl. 1; in the Emolument Clause, Art. I, § 9, cl. 8; in the Electors provisions, Art. II, § 1, cl. 2, and the superseded cl. 3; in the provision outlining qualifications for the office of President, Art. II, § 1, cl. 5; in the Extradition provisions, Art.…