Millions sign petition demanding electoral college members vote for Hillary Clinton rather than Donald Trump

Rachael Revesz

The petition stated that Ms Clinton, who won the popular vote, could still win the election.

Millions of people have signed a petition to demand that the electoral college change their votes to Hillary Clinton.

At the time of writing, more than 4.3 million people are asking the electoral college across the US, which meets on 19 December in each state, to vote for the Democrat instead of Donald Trump.

The Change.org petition said Mr Trump was "unfit to serve" and that Ms Clinton should be president as she won at least one million votes than her rival in the popular vote.

"If they all vote the way their states voted, Donald Trump will win," the petition reads. 

"However, they can vote for Hillary Clinton if they choose. Even in states where that is not allowed, their vote would still be counted, they would simply pay a small fine – which we can be sure Clinton supporters will be glad to pay! We are calling on the Electors to ignore their states’ votes and cast their ballots for Secretary Clinton."

Voters, in casting their ballots for either Mr Trump or Ms Clinton on 8 November, were in effect voting for electors, which are picked based on which party’s candidate wins the most votes in each state. The winner takes all in every state except Nebraska and Maine.

All electors meet in their respective states 41 days after the election to formally vote for the next president.

 There is no federal law which requires electors to vote according to the results of the popular vote in their states. 

A 1952 law from the supreme court ruled, however, that states could require their electors to pledge allegiance to the party’s presidential and vice presidential nominees from its national convention. Some states even set small fines to so-called "faithless electors" who do not vote for their party nominee.

Electors also tend to be actively involved in their party or campaign therefore would unlilkely change their vote.

Mr Trump previously said he would only accept the election result if he won, while Ms Clinton said his intention to challenge the democratic system was "horrifying".

There is no indication that Ms Clinton would accept the result if she won due to the electors changing allegiance.