As we approach the electoral college vote (Monday) here is a history of those who voted contrary to their party's designated candidate.
Since the founding of the Electoral College, there have been 157 faithless electors. 71 of these votes were changed because the original candidate died before the day on which the Electoral College cast its votes. Three electors chose to abstain rather than vote for their party's nominee. The other 83 electoral votes were changed on the personal initiative of the elector.
