Md. Member of Electoral College Demands Briefing on Russia

BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- A Maryland member of the electoral college is among those demanding national intelligence briefings on Russian interference in the presidential election.

One of the roles of the electoral college is to make sure no foreign government has improper influence in the presidential election.

A group of electors wants to know whether there are ongoing investigations into ties between Donald Trump, his campaign or associates and Russian interference in the election. Howard County Elector Courtney Watson is among them.

"And it's not really a partisan issue, it's an American issue and we want to make sure that we represent the people when we go in to vote as electors to make sure we're fully informed," said Watson.

While some question the role of the electoral college, author and political expert Ted Venetoulis, tells WJZ it's a constitutional fail-safe.

"Remember the whole objective of the electoral system was not to have them be potted plants, that they ought to use their own conscience - and if this worries them then they've got to make a decision," said Venetoulis.

Donald Trump won the popular vote in states that carry 306 electoral college votes. If 37 of those Republicans change their minds, the decision goes to the House of Representatives, controlled by the Republicans.

"I still think it's a very valuable system which is why I think it's important that the electors who are out there now, the ones who are saying we need an intelligence briefing, we gotta determine what it is we want to do, we need more information, are doing the right constitutional thing," said Venetoulis.

The president-elect has tweeted "can you imagine if the election results were the opposite and we tried to play the Russia/CIA card. It would be called conspiracy theory!"

"I wish it was but it really isn't. It's a very serious matter and I know that the electors take that role very seriously and their responsibility to represent the people," said Watson.

More electors have been signing on to the briefing request. Even with that information it is not likely to cost Trump the vote.

The electoral college vote is next week.

There are also calls for congressional or independent investigations of what role the Russians played in the race.
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