Texas resident and Republican elector Art Sisneros chose to resign rather than cast a vote for Donald Trump or become a “faithless elector” and vote for someone else.
Writing about his decision in a November 26th blog post, Sisneros reviewed the difference between a constitutional republic and a direct democracy. The framers of the Constitution set our government up so that it was governed by representatives the people chose rather than the people themselves. One example of this is the electoral college, which is ultimately tasked with electing the President of the United States.
In contrast to the first several presidential elections, many state political parties now ask their electors to take a pledge to vote for the candidate who receives the most popular votes in the state’s General Election. Sisneros took this pledge, but then found himself in a dilemma because, as he stated, “I believe voting for Trump would bring dishonor to God.”
He explained his reasoning for this conclusion in a blog post the day before the election.
In light of this conviction, Sisneros believed that he only had three options moving forward. He could swallow his conscience and vote for Donald Trump, break the pledge and vote for someone other than Trump, or resign his position as an elector. To be true to his conscience and his word, he resigned.
The electors in Texas will choose a replacement in time for the December 19 vote.
Photo courtesy: flickr.com
Publication date: December 1, 2016
