Massachusetts bill would require electors to follow party vote pledges

The governor would send a certificate naming the appointed electors to the federal archivist, and the state secretary would post a copy online. The certificate would list the appointed electors and elector nominees who received at least one-fifth of the votes cast for electors. The governor would transmit the certificate by the fastest available method; the state secretary would post it the same day.

Political parties would name an alternate for each elector nominee, and nominees would pledge to vote for their party’s presidential and vice presidential candidates. The party committee would submit two qualified people for each elector position and identify one as the nominee and one as the alternate. If a party’s presidential or vice presidential candidate dies or withdraws before the electors meet, the pledge would apply to the successor chosen under party rules. The successor-candidate rule applies when a candidate dies or withdraws after nomination and before the electors’ meeting.

The presiding elector would fill vacant positions through available alternates and other listed steps; the state secretary would check and record electors’ ballots. These steps apply at the state electors’ meeting when an elector is absent or a position becomes vacant. A ballot would not count if the elector fails to mark both ballots or votes against the pledge. An elector who refuses to present or sign a ballot, presents an unmarked ballot, or breaks the pledge would leave the position vacant. The secretary would repeat the ballot and replacement steps until all of the state’s electoral votes are cast and recorded.

The governor would certify the state’s electors and promptly issue an amended certificate if the final elector list changes. The certificates would cover the Commonwealth’s presidential electors, including substitutes appointed to fill vacancies. A final court order would conclusively determine which electors the state appointed only if the state supreme court issued it by the day before the electors meet. The governor would immediately deliver a signed amended certificate after receiving it from the state secretary; the court deadline is the day before the electors meet.