A quick description of the electoral college process. The DEM party is on the ballot in all 50 states. When you and I vote, we vote for electors that have already been chosen by the parties. In December, the electors cast their ballots for the candidate that the party tells them to cast for.
So, you are correct. There does NOT have to be a candidate on the ballot, in November. But that does not mean the "no candidate" party won't put their (to be determined in time) person in the office.
got it. thanks
I think you are WRONG.
Electors to the Electoral College elected in each state are bound to vote for the candidate to whom they are pledged in accordance with the laws of the individual states, and these laws are not uniform.
Electors are not permitted to vote for whoever some party hacks tell them to. On the other hand, there are no real penalties if the Electors violate the law. It's a matter of honor, mostly.