Legal Definitions - elector

An elector can refer to several different roles, depending on the context:

1. A Member of the Electoral College

In the United States, an elector is a person chosen by each state to formally cast a vote for President and Vice President. These individuals collectively form the Electoral College. The number of electors each state receives is based on its total number of representatives in Congress (House + Senate).

• Example 1: After the general election, a state's Republican Party selects a group of loyal party members, such as a former governor and a local community leader, to serve as its presidential electors. If the Republican presidential candidate wins the popular vote in that state, these chosen individuals will then meet to cast their official ballots for that candidate.
  This example illustrates how specific individuals are designated by political parties to represent their state's popular vote outcome in the presidential election.
• Example 2: Following a presidential election, a group of individuals from California, having been chosen by the political party whose candidate won the popular vote in California, convenes in the state capital. Each of these individuals, acting as an elector, formally signs a certificate casting their vote for the President and Vice President, reflecting the will of California's voters.
  This demonstrates the formal act of electors meeting and casting their votes, which is the final step in the Electoral College process.

2. A Voter

More broadly, an elector refers to any person who is legally qualified to vote in an election. This includes meeting requirements such as age, residency, citizenship, and registration, giving them the present right to cast a ballot.

• Example 1: Sarah, a 30-year-old resident of Ohio, registers to vote in her county. By completing the registration process and meeting all state requirements for age and residency, she becomes a qualified elector, eligible to participate in upcoming local and national elections.
  This shows how an individual fulfills the criteria to become a "qualified elector" and gain the right to vote.
• Example 2: During a municipal bond referendum, only property owners within the city limits who are also registered voters are considered eligible electors for that specific ballot measure. A long-term renter who is a registered voter but does not own property would not be a qualified elector for this particular vote.
  This illustrates that "qualified elector" can sometimes have additional specific criteria beyond general voter registration, depending on the type of election or ballot measure.

3. A Person Choosing Between Rights or Claims

In a legal context, an elector can also be a person who has the right to choose between two or more alternative legal rights, options, or claims presented to them.

• Example 1: A will specifies that a beneficiary can either inherit a family heirloom worth $50,000 or receive a cash payment of $40,000. The beneficiary, acting as an elector, must decide which of these two options to accept.
  This demonstrates an individual making a choice between distinct legal entitlements offered under a will.
• Example 2: After a car accident, the injured party is presented with two settlement options by the insurance company: a lump-sum payment that covers immediate medical bills but waives future claims, or a structured settlement that provides ongoing payments for long-term care. The injured party, as the elector, must choose which settlement best suits their needs.
  This illustrates a person choosing between different legal remedies or compensation structures for a claim.

4. (Historical) German Princes

Historically, an elector was the title given to certain German princes who held the right to participate in the election of the Holy Roman Emperors.

• Example: In the 17th century, the Prince-Elector of Brandenburg was one of the powerful German rulers who had a vote in selecting the Holy Roman Emperor, a significant political role in the Holy Roman Empire.
  This example shows a historical application of the term, referring to a specific type of noble who held electoral power in a past political system.