DAYTON, Texas – Family member of a former local Electoral College voter are facing threats member family faces threats after he resigned, because he refused to vote for Donald Trump.
Members of the Electoral College have to officially cast their votes Dec. 19 in President-elect Donald Trump's journey to the White House. But one local elector said he's resigning before that vote is taken.
Art Sisneros of Dayton in Liberty County said he resigned his position as a Republican member of the Electoral College.
"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," Sisneros said.
"I think Mr. Sisneros is doing the right thing if he can't live up to his oath," said Paul Simpson, the chair of the Harris County Republican Party.
He said there is already a plan in place to replace Sisneros.
"The electors themselves will pick the replacement for Mr. Sisneros who apparently can't live up to his oath so he's doing the right thing choosing not to go forward," Simpson said.
University of Houston Political Science professor Brandon Rottinghaus said the resignation of an elector is rare, but not unheard of.
He said it would not make any difference in the final count.
"The likelihood of this changing any kind of a moment in (the overall) vote is very unlikely. You have other people who have circulated petitions trying to get members of the Electoral College to vote against Donald Trump," Rottinghaus said.
Since the threats, Sisneros refuses to speak on the issue.