SCOTUS rules against 'faithless electors' and shift toward nationwide popular-vote system

In a unanimous decision, the Court held that states can bind presidential electors to vote for the state popular-vote winner.

By Sophie Mann

Published: July 6, 2020 10:18am

Updated: July 6, 2020 1:10pm

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the 538 people who cast the actual votes for president in December as members of the Electoral College must vote the way the laws of their state direct.

The high court ruled unanimously against advocates who were attempting to change the Electoral College and shift the country toward a nationwide popular voting system for the presidency.

SCOTUS ruled that presidential electors must vote as their state requires them to, which in most states means voting for the candidate who won the popular vote in the state.