Judge orders electors in Colorado to vote for Hillary Clinton

Attorney Jason Wesoky, front, responds to questions as Polly Baca, back, looks on after arguments in a lawsuit were heard Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, outside the federal courthouse in downtown Denver. Two Democratic electors are trying to be freed of Colorado's requirement that they vote for the winner of the state's popular vote in the presidential election this past November. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Attorney Jason Wesoky, front, responds to questions as Polly Baca, back, looks on after arguments in a lawsuit were heard Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, outside the federal courthouse in downtown Denver. Two Democratic electors are trying to be freed of Colorado's requirement that they vote for the winner of the state's popular vote in the presidential election this past November. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

A Colorado judge ruled Tuesday that the state’s nine Electoral College electors must cast their votes for Hillary Clinton because she won the state’s popular vote.

The ruling came after two electors sued to overturn a state law that requires them to vote for the winner of the state’s popular vote in a presidential election. The two reportedly had planned to join an effort to unite with Republicans behind a compromise candidate for president instead of president-elect Donald Trump.

The judge, Elizabeth Starrs, said in her ruling that if any electors failed to vote for Clinton when the Electoral College convenes on Dec. 19, they would be replaced immediately.

Colorado electors could face up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine if they fail to vote for Clinton.

Trump won 306 electors in the Nov. 8 General Election and Clinton won 232. Two-hundred and seventy votes are needed to win the presidency.