Elsewhere, Gore's home state of Tennessee cast its 11 electoral votes, as expected, for Bush. A switch by three Bush electors, along with the uncast Gore vote, would throw the election to the House. A switch by four Bush electors and the election was Gore's. But most expected the Bush-pledged electors to keep their promise. In many states, electors are bound by law to keep their pledge.
Some scholars say the laws probably are unenforceable.
Several electors in the past have broken their pledge, most recently in 1988, but never in a close election where it could change the result. Democrats used e-mails and telephone calls to argue that Gore deserved to be president because he won the popular vote. There was never any doubt,'' said New Hampshire elector Wayne McDonald, who was besieged with calls from reporters and voters after news reports hinted that he was thinking of backing Gore. They said, 'Don't vote for Bush. Vote for Gore.