|
|
"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource."
|
Popular-vote plan nears crucial period
|
|---|
| Parent(s) |
Issue
|
| Contributor | The Sunset Provision |
| Last Edited | The Sunset Provision Dec 18, 2007 10:42pm |
| Logged |
0
|
| Category | News |
| News Date | Wednesday, December 19, 2007 04:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | A three-year-old effort aimed at electing U.S. presidents through a popular vote is entering a critical phase in the coming weeks, with two big states set to possibly endorse the concept.
The National Popular Vote (NPV) plan passed the New Jersey state Assembly last week and is set for a vote in the state Senate in early January. Around the same time, Illinois is expected to finish work on the bill, which has already passed both chambers there.
Those backing the measure hope to get states with a majority of the country’s 538 electoral votes to support the plan, which would create a compact between states to cast their electoral votes for the winner of the national popular vote. If enough states agreed, the plan would kick in and create a de facto popular election for president.
Illinois, New Jersey and Maryland, which approved the plan in April, comprise less than 10 percent of the nation’s electoral votes but are crucial to getting the effort off to a good start in 2008, when the Electoral College will be in focus because of the presidential contest.
Organizers hope the plan will be implemented by the 2012 election but recognize the magnitude of what they are undertaking. The vote in the New Jersey Senate, which is slated for the first week in January, will provide a big clue as to whether they can be successful, said NPV President Barry Fadem.
“If we don’t get it done there, that will be a bad signal,” he said.
In the past two years, the measure has passed in 12 state legislative chambers. Ten states or more could be on the agenda for 2008.
In addition to New Jersey and Illinois, organizers hope to pass measures in Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and West Virginia, among others.
The measure has been vetoed after passing both houses in California and Hawaii. In the latter, a veto-proof majority in the House has yet to complete an override.
|
| Share |
|
|
2¢
|
|
| Article | Read Full Article |
|
| Date |
Category |
Headline |
Article |
Contributor |
|
|
