State law takes US a step closer to popular vote deciding presidential elections

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: ABC News

April 21, 2024, 6:23 AM


After much public debate, a Maine law has brought the country closer toward having the popular vote determine the winner of national presidential elections -- but it's unlikely that will happen before November or even at all.

Earlier this week, Maine Gov. Janet Mills allowed a bill to become law without her signature that would take effect once the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is able to gather pledges for at least 270 electoral votes — the number of delegate votes needed to elect a president.

The movement has now gathered pledges from 17 states and Washington, D.C., — accounting for a total of 209 electoral votes. The movement seeks to change the way a president is chosen, without a constitutional amendment — but experts say it's unclear what happens when enough states have signed on. It's unlikely this would happen before the 2024 election.

The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact seeks to guarantee that the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia wins the presidency.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/US/state-law-takes-us-step-closer-popular-vote/story?id=109437887

[groundloop]

1. I like the sentiment, but it won't work if only Blue States enact this.

[Fiendish Thingy]

3. Well, mathematically it could work

If all of the remaining undecided blue states ratify, it would only take one purple state, VA to reach the 270 needed to activate the agreement.

[Polybius]

8. But poster 1 made a good point

How is it fair if only Blue states are on board?

[Fiendish Thingy]

11. Simple majority vs the tyranny of the minority. Nt

[mopinko]

4. well, i suspect there will b more of those come nov 6.

btn the money dems r raising and spending down ticket and tsf skimming his down ticket candidates, i think ppl r gonna b shocked at the outcomes.

[lastlib]

10. So we need to make more states blue.

Problem--solved.

[Fiendish Thingy]

2. Still a long way to go

And the remaining undecided states are far from sure bets to ratify.

[yorkster]

5. Has Michigan legislature voted on this yet?

Did some searching and couldn't find conclusive info.

[republianmushroom]

6. Popular vote is how the Presidency should be decided.

Result in less than a day.

[Blue_Adept]

14. That's not what would happen with this

it still takes time to count things and you have mail-in and overseas ballots that take time to come in as well.

[Polybius]

7. Never gonna happen n/t

[TZ617]

9. A more useful step currently

It might be more useful at this time to consider legislation to unify Maine's electoral votes for a standard winner take all result as in most states. This could counteract a possible/likely similar move in Nebraska that could take a likely electoral vote from Biden. That one vote, in certain circumstances, could cause the election to be thrown to the House, which would be able to choose the next President. Based on current and very likely numbers after the 2024 election, that would result in a win for the Loser Defendant. I, as most here, hate the Electoral College, but it is very unlikely any of us will ever see it eliminated.

[maccafan]

12. Wouldn't it be nice...

I remember debating whether the Electoral College should be abolished in my high school government class over 50 years ago. I think we all agreed it should go, but I’m not sure it will ever happen.

[Mawspam2]

13. I have been a supporter of NPV for years.

https://www.nationalpopularvote.com/written-explanation

Every presidential election is decided by just 5 to 7 'battleground' states. All the others are ignored as givens by both parties.

I think candidates and their organizations should be obligated to campaign in all States and Territorys.

[Polybius]

15. Do you really think this would survive a Supreme Court challenge?

And aren't we supposed to be against loopholes?

[The Grand Illuminist]

18. Dead on arrival.

The resolution can only be effective only through articles V measures.

[Torchlight]

16. That the conversation is happening more and more is heartening.

I'd love to see a series of giant national discussions over federal elections, election funding, and election mechanisms. I think just the conversation alone would be a huge boost to more engagement and votes cast.

[oasis]

17. We the PEOPLE say "yes".

[The Grand Illuminist]

19. Only one problem.

Article II.

[myohmy2]

20. amazing...

...common sense in action..

...what will we think of next...??

...