Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/19pdf/19-465_i425.pdf
Page Number: 22.0

Cite as:  591 U. S. ____ (2020) 

1 

THOMAS, J., concurring
THOMAS, J., concurring in judgment 

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES 

_________________ 

No. 19–465 
_________________ 

PETER B. CHIAFALO, LEVI JENNET GUERRA, 
AND ESTHER VIRGINIA JOHN, PETITIONERS 
v. WASHINGTON 

ON WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO THE SUPREME COURT 
OF WASHINGTON 

[July 6, 2020]

 JUSTICE THOMAS, with whom JUSTICE GORSUCH joins as

to Part II, concurring in the judgment. 

The  Court  correctly  determines  that  States  have  the 
power to require Presidential electors to vote for the candi-
date chosen by the people of the State.  I disagree, however,
with  its  attempt  to  base  that  power  on  Article  II.    In  my
view, the Constitution is silent on States’ authority to bind
electors in voting.  I would resolve this case by simply rec-
ognizing  that  “[a]ll  powers  that  the  Constitution  neither 
delegates  to  the  Federal  Government  nor  prohibits  to  the
States  are  controlled  by  the  people  of  each  State.”    U. S. 
Term  Limits,  Inc.  v.  Thornton,  514  U. S.  779,  848  (1995) 
(THOMAS, J., dissenting). 

I 
A 
The Constitution does not address—expressly or by nec-
essary implication—whether States have the power to re-
quire that Presidential electors vote for the candidates cho-
sen  by  the  people.  Article  II,  §1,  and  the  Twelfth
Amendment  provide  for  the  election  of  the  President 
through a body of electors.  But neither speaks directly to a 
State’s power over elector voting.