1-23-2019
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Three Washington state electors are challenging their fine for an anti-Trump bid, taking their argument to the Washington Supreme Court.
These electors joined a long-shot effort with several others across the nation to deny Donald Trump the presidency in 2016 by casting votes for Republican Colin Powell.
The idea was to deny Trump an electoral majority, but the plan failed.
The Secretary of State’s office imposed fines of $1,000 on each elector for breaking their vow to honor the will of voters.
The trio’s lawyer, Harvard Law professor Lawrence Lessig, told the Washington Supreme Court on Tuesday the fines violated their First Amendment rights.
An attorney for the state said the fines fell within its authority.