West Virginia GOP Elector Robb's Vote May Not Go To Bush

Charleston Daily Mail ^ | September 8, 2004 | Chris Stirewalt

[Bonaventure]

South Charleston Mayor Richie Robb said today he may vote against George W. Bush in the Electoral College, even if the president carries West Virginia's popular vote.

Robb, long known as a maverick Republican, said he is considering using his position as one of the state's five Republican electors to protest what he believes are misguided policies of the current administration.

"It's not likely that I would vote for Kerry," Robb said. "But I'm looking at what my options are when it comes time to cast my vote."

[TRY ONE]

Talk, talk, talk --- Remember after Algore won the popular vote in '00, several "Electoral" Voters threatened the same; ten chickened out.

[goodform]

He's probably just angling for a payoff.

[b4its2late]

Some guy from the boonies trying to make a name for himself?

Hey Mayor Robb, shut up, go home, and brush your tooth.

[leprechaun9]

I heard that one of the Sopranos left for W. Va at noon today!

[Brilliant]

I don't know if that's true. Don't these guys take an oath to carry out the will of the people? And if they announce in advance that they might not honor that oath, then isn't there recourse?

Of course it depends on WV law...

[rineaux]

its a battle ground state. robb is trying to make a name for himself. his political career is about to come to an end. looking for a federal appointed position. tobacco chewing does not pay well.

[Bluegrass Conservative]

In Kentucky we selected our electors at the district Republican conventions in May . . . one elector for each Congressional district. The two at-large electors were picked at the state convention. That way the party faitful were the ones that actually voted on the electors.

[The G Man]

I wonder what Anthony Pellicano found out about him?

[NJ_gent]

"Is this legal?"

Laws vary by states regarding so-called "faithless electors". West Virginia has no such law. More information can be found Here

Note that Congress has the power, under 3 U.S.C. 15, to refuse to accept a vote from a faithless elector.

[Carling]

"But I'm looking at what my options are when it comes time to cast my vote."

Here is an option, Mr. Robb. Get some stones and give your electoral seat to someone who would put the wishes of the voters in West Virginia over selfish personal beliefs.

[Lurking Libertarian]

Is this legal?

Yes. Technically, you don't vote for Bush, you vote for electors. The electors vote for President. In 1976, one elector in a state carried by Ford actually voted for Reagan.

[jsbankston]

Yes Pete, it is interesting that the same people who spoke about the genius of the Electoral College system when Bush won in 2000 while losing the popular vote will now go into hysterics if an Elector does not vote the same way as his state.

[MadelineZapeezda]

Wasn't there another delegate who said this at the convention???

15 minutes of fame is what it amounts to!

[Pete]

Yes Pete, it is interesting that the same people who spoke about the genius of the Electoral College system when Bush won in 2000 while losing the popular vote will now go into hysterics if an Elector does not vote the same way as his state.

Just curious. What were you saying in 2000?

[Old Professer]

Smoke; small-town politicians come around before they get turned around.

[Armedanddangerous]

He's a liberal, pro choice republican who ran for governor in the primary, but didnt get much traction and hardly any votes.

Probably just had his feelings hurt.

[Steely Tom]

I heard that one of the Sopranos left for W. Va at noon today!

Play ball or your lookin' at the ceilin'. Capiche?

(steely)

[pabianice]

Retiring this year, are you, Richie?

[WoodstockCat]

How exactly did West Virginia pick it's Republican electors?

[jsbankston]

I have lots of Democratic friends that were in hysterics and I maintained that the framers wanted a republic and that the Electoral College selects the President.

If this elector in WV goes against the wishes of his State or Bush wins the Popular vote but loses the Electoral Vote I will have to remain consistent in my opinion.