Senate Rules Committee adopts amendment to require electors’ pledge in SB 15‑09

The Senate Rules Committee on Feb. 11 adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 15‑09 that would require presidential electors to sign a pledge to vote for the winning candidates and creates a process for declaring and filling an elector vacancy if an elector does not vote according to the signed pledge.

Leslie, a committee staffer, summarized the measure as defining elector qualifications, requiring a pledge, clarifying that the secretary of state presides over the meeting of electors and providing the contents of a certificate of ascertainment; staff said the bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and has no fiscal or revenue impact. The -1 amendment would prohibit electors from being affiliated with a political party in races where the presidential ticket is nonpartisan, the summary said.

A committee member moved to adopt the -1 amendment; the motion faced no objection and the amendment was adopted. The committee then voted to refer SB 15‑09, as amended, to the floor with a 'do pass' recommendation. Roll‑call responses recorded included Senators Golden, Meade, Kehnor, Vice Chair Starr and Chair Johnson voting 'aye.'

The committee closed the work session after the referral. No fiscal analysis beyond staff's summary was discussed during the work session. The bill will proceed to floor consideration where additional debate and potential amendments may be offered.