IIRC the are required to vote as “electors” on the first ballot. If there is not a clear winner then they can vote for whomever they like. I believe that the strategy rests on getting the electors to not vote for who they have committed to by virtue of their election. So if these electors were to jump ship on the first ballot, it opens the flood gates to a “brokered” convention.....in which case the base revolts and leaves the party.
Wouldn’t it be funny if all of Trump’s delegates stay with him and all the others change their votes to Trump.