Elector Resigns Instead of Voting for Trump
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A member of the Electoral College has officially announced his resignation after previously stating he was hesitant to vote for Donald Trump. Texas Republican Art Sisneros confirmed to Politico on Monday that his position would be given to an alternate elector, who will be chosen by the state's remaining electors Dec. 19.
Sisneros originally announced his decision to resign in a blog post Saturday, expressing at great length his concerns about the "corrupt" Electoral College and why he believes Trump is "not qualified" to be president of the United States.
"I do not see how Donald Trump is biblically qualified to serve in the office of the presidency," he wrote. "Of the hundreds of angry messages that I have received, not one has made a convincing case from scripture otherwise. If Trump is not qualified and my role, both morally and historically, as an elected official is to vote my conscience, then I can not and will not vote for Donald Trump for president."
He went on to acknowledge that his resignation would not stop Trump from becoming the president. However, this knowledge only strengthened Sisneros's resolve not to cast his vote for him.
"The reality is Trump will be our president, no matter what my decision is," he wrote. "Many are furious that I am willing to have this discussion publicly. Personally, I wish more civil officers would be honest about their convictions."
"Since I can’t in good conscience vote for Donald Trump, and yet have sinfully made a pledge that I would, the best option I see at this time is to resign my position as an Elector," he continued. "The people will get their vote ... I will sleep well at night knowing I neither gave in to their demands nor caved to my convictions. I will also mourn the loss of our republic."
Texas Republican Party chairman Tom Mechler has since released a statement acknowledging Sisneros's decision to resign and explaining that the remaining Texas Electors will continue forward as planned.
"We respect Mr. Sisneros’ decision and appreciate his willingness to step down from his position as a Presidential Elector in Texas," he said, according to the Houston Chronicle. "The responsibility of selecting his replacement now falls into the hands of the other electors from Texas when they assemble on December 19th, and we will continue to move forward with the process."
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