What does it mean when an elector is referred to as "faithless"?

A "faithless" elector refers to an elector who does not cast their vote in accordance with the commitment or pledge they made, specifically by voting against the candidate they were initially pledged to support. In the context of the Electoral College, electors are typically expected to vote for the candidate who wins the popular vote in their state, but a faithless elector chooses to defy that expectation. This situation can raise important constitutional and legal questions regarding the role of electors and whether they should be held accountable for their votes, as well as the implications for the democratic process.

The other options describe different scenarios but do not encapsulate the specific definition of a faithless elector. For instance, some merely reference voting behavior that aligns with or opposes initial intentions without the deeper implications of defying an electoral pledge.