Nearly 600,000 people and counting have signed a petition calling on members of the Electoral College to vote for Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Senate GOP sees early Supreme Court vote as political booster shot Poll: 51 percent of voters want to abolish the electoral college MORE when they meet in December.

ADVERTISEMENT

Petitioners argued that because Clinton is most likely to win the popular vote, electors should support her over Donald Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE when they meet Dec. 19.

While Clinton currently leads in the popular vote by about 300,000 votes, according to the AP, Trump earned the required 270 electoral votes to become president.

"Secretary Clinton WON THE POPULAR VOTE and should be President," the petition reads.

"We are calling on the Electors to ignore their states' votes and cast their ballots for Secretary Clinton. Why? Mr. Trump is unfit to serve. His scapegoating of so many Americans, and his impulsivity, bullying, lying, admitted history of sexual assault, and utter lack of experience make him a danger to the Republic."

The 538 electors will meet in December to officially cast their votes for the presidential election, but traditionally, electors vote along the lines of the states they represent.

So called "faithless electors" can buck tradition and support the candidate who lost their state, but only 157 have done so in the 240 year history of the U.S., according to the nonprofit FairVote.

And nearly half of the electors who changed their votes did so because the candidate they were pledged to support died before the Electoral College met. Another 82 broke their pledge for reasons of personal preference.