The reported indictment against New York City Mayor Eric Adams could have a domino effect on how New York hands out Electoral College votes in November.

The criminal investigation into the mayor could lead to him being replaced as one of the state’s 28 Democratic presidential candidates.

Adams was indicted Wednesday on federal criminal charges related to alleged corruption allegations, the The New York TimesThe indictment remains secret and it is unclear what charges the Democrat will face.

There have also been suggestions about X that Adams is acting as a “faithless” elector by deliberately not voting for Kamala Harris in response to the federal investigation into him.

“The nightmare scenario that unfolds is a 270-268 Electoral College vote and a 269-269 faithless elector of Eric Adams,” said Joel Wertheimer, a civil rights attorney and former deputy assistant secretary to Barack Obama.

But Gavin Bena, who is among the 10 Democratic candidates for president in Missouri, said replacing Adams in New York’s Electoral College “will not cost Harris any votes.”

Newsweek contacted Adams’ office via email for comment.

The charges mean that Adams, who is running for re-election next year, will become the first New York mayor to face federal charges while in office.

In a video statement, Adams said any charges against him will be “completely false and based on lies.” Adams also vowed to remain in office while he fights the allegations.

Harris is expected to retain Democratic control in November. The latest Siena College Poll, conducted Sept. 11-16 among 1,003 likely voters, showed the vice president with a 13-point lead over Donald Trump in New York (55 percent to 42).

There is a process in place to ensure New York still awards 28 electoral votes even if Adams is unable to perform his duties. Every Electoral College vote appears crucial in the neck-and-neck race between Harris and Trump.

Bena said that if Adams cannot run as a presidential candidate, New York’s remaining 27 electors will choose his replacement.

“It’s not great, but it won’t cost Harris any votes,” Bena posted on X, formerly Twitter.

The Justice Department is currently under the control of the Biden administration.

In his recorded statement, Adams slammed the federal government, accusing it of “doing nothing as flawed immigration policies overloaded our reception system without any help.”

However, in September 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a series of bills aimed at strengthening the democratic process in the state.

This means that ‘unreliable voters’ are not allowed to influence the outcome of a presidential election by not casting their vote for the presidential candidate who receives the most votes.

Anyone who votes for a candidate who does not receive the highest number of votes will be forced to resign.

There is no indication that Adams plans to behave as a faithless elector.

Before reports of the indictment emerged, Adams had already faced calls from members of his party to resign amid federal corruption investigations into his administration.

In his statement, Adams said, “If I am charged, I know I am innocent. I will demand an immediate trial so New Yorkers can hear the truth.

“If I am charged, many will say I should resign because I cannot run the city while I fight the case. I can also understand that ordinary New Yorkers are concerned that I cannot do my job while I am charged.

“But I have been confronted with these lies for months, ever since I began speaking on behalf of all of you and their investigation began. Yet the city has continued to improve.”

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams is expected to announce the charges against Adams today.