A “faithless” elector in Texas said that he won’t for President-elect Donald Trump when the Electoral College convenes to complete its process later in December.
“The election is not over—the election happens on December 19th when presidential electors cast their ballots. That’s when the election is complete,” Chris Suprun, the Texas elector, told CNN on Wednesday.
Following his move, a number of people called on Suprun to step down. A petition was created via Change.org to remove Suprun, with nearly 20,000 signatures.
“Chris Suprun has stated on Twitter that he refuses to cast his electoral ballot in a [manner] as those in his precinct have requested, we also ask that he be removed as a GOP member and/or delegate,” the petition reads.
Last week, Suprun, a paramedic from Texas who was a firefighter during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, wrote an opinion piece in the New York Times explaining that he won’t vote for Trump. Instead, he'll vote for Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
“The election of the next president is not yet a done deal. Electors of conscience can still do the right thing for the good of the country,” he argued.
Throughout the campaign, Suprun indicated that he supports the “Never Trump” movement on his Twitter page.
Kasich, apparently responding to Suprun’s editorial and a small group of electors who are seeking to vote for him, asked members of the Electoral College not to cast their ballots for him.
