Talk:Unpledged elector

Untitled

I think this page could use a little more explanation of what exactly an unpledged elector is, and why they aren't pledged to a certain candidate. This is particularly important for non-Americans who aren't familiar with the Electoral College. -R. fiend 07:30, 14 Dec 2004 (UTC)

10 months on, I've read this article right through twice, and I'm still confused. Chris talk back 22:45, 28 October 2005 (UTC)

Comment. The last slate of unpledged Electors that I am aware of ran in Minnesota in 1984. Nevada also has a "None of the Above" option, which is similar to hosting a slate of unpledged Electors. Chronicler3 02:47, 9 February 2006 (UTC) Chronicler3

Comment. Also the first unpledged Elector that I have found ran in 1804. Chronicler3 02:48, 9 February 2006 (UTC) Chronicler3

Possible Introductory Paragraph

In presidential elections in the United States, the electoral vote is cast by people chosen as Presidential Electors. Before the "general election," each party files a slate of Electors in each state. Occasionally, a group of Electors will run which is not pledged to any candidate. If these "unpledged Electors" win a state, they have an opportunity to assess the political situation and then decide how to cast their electoral votes. In most cases historically, unpledged Electors have been a ballot option when a group of voters feels that no candidate is addressing the most serious issues of the time.

Chronicler3 13:03, 9 February 2006 (UTC) Chronicler3

Total rewrite. Whaddya think?

Saw the cleanup needed notice and was bold and did a complete rewrite. Comments welcome. I elminated the material on the 1948 election because there were no unpledged electors in that election -- the "States Rights Democrats" were in fact pledged to Thurmond in advance. --Jfruh (talk) 06:46, 2 June 2006 (UTC)