California
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Californias Popular Vote Bill Signed Into Law
SACRAMENTO (CBS/AP) Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill that would award all of Californias 55 Electoral College votes to the winner of the national popular vote in presidential elections.
The movement by a group called National Popular Vote aims to prevent a repeat of 2000, when Democrat Al Gore won the popular vote but Republican George W. Bush won the electoral vote. The groups proposed changes would ensure the winner of the national popular vote becomes president.
With Browns signature Monday, California became the eighth state to sign on, giving the effort 132 of the 270 electoral votes it needs to take effect.
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/08/08/californias-popular-vote-bill-signed-into-law/
So, if the popular vote goes to say, Jeb Bush in 2016, all 55 of California's electoral college votes go to Jeb? Am I reading this right?
NV Whino
(20,886 posts)But maybe not.
Er, nope. It says national popular. Vote.
Make7
(8,543 posts)So unless between now and November 2016 a bunch of additional states all pass similar laws and their combined electoral votes add up to 138 - this will not be in play.
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)IMO, this is a BAAAAAAAAAAD idea.
simak
(116 posts)Once the compact has the necessary number of votes, there's a schedule for becoming active. It has to be active by a certain date, or it won't take effect till the next election. Likewise, states must exit the compact by a certain date or they will be considered committed to an upcoming election.
The compact guarantees that the popular candidate gets at least 270 electoral votes. This usually happens anyway, but there have been a few exceptions, notably Gore v Bush. The compact prevents that from happening again.
All previous occurrences have resulted in a Republican winning the electoral college even though a Democrat won the popular. So your example, Jeb Bush, is more likely to lose because of the compact than to win.
However, if a state does have its electors go to the candidate who lost its own popular vote as a result of the compact, don't be surprised to see them exit the compact before the next election. I expect the compact will collapse after one election.
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)And your last paragraph? Riots in the streets, I guarantee you.
arcane1
(38,613 posts)Someone could lose the popular vote in California, and yet get our electoral votes??
valerief
(53,235 posts)CA gives its electoral college votes to the Dem.
Looks like a way to fight gerrymandering, which nearly always helps the GOP.
arcane1
(38,613 posts)That would suck!
valerief
(53,235 posts)It's the gerrymandering and suck-ass electoral college that fucks us over.
underpants
(182,829 posts)Basically the blue states - the coasts - would decide the Presidency.
Auggie
(31,173 posts)and I'm not sure how I feel.
IMO the electoral process is outdated and has become too easily manipulated. And it can't be eliminated without a constitutional convention, right? So this is essentially a way around that.
Since heavily-populated metro areas tend to lean liberal, why couldn't this be good?
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)qualifying yet, can you imagine all of California's electoral college votes going to a Republican if the state went for the Democrat? That's just wrong.
valerief
(53,235 posts)Most **people** vote Dem. Gerrymandering fucks us over. Those are fucking gerrymandered district votes, not popular votes.
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)(and this is if it reaches the required 270) if, say in 2016, California goes for Hillary but the popular vote is won by Jeb, all our electoral college votes would go to Jeb. There is no way I can wrap my head around that and make it sound OK.
Auggie
(31,173 posts)Schwarzenegger vetoed it in 2007.
dreamnightwind
(4,775 posts)Sounds like an end-around to subvert the electoral college in favor of the popular vote. If that's truly what it does, that's great.
oldandhappy
(6,719 posts)I am startled. So CA as a state will support the national most votes winner vs the person the majority actually vote for in the state? Hmmm This portends a true national election. Not sure how I feel about being the only state doing it!!
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)Enough states have to sign on to total 270 electoral college votes. Right now it's only up to 132 so it's not a done deal but I didn't even know this was in the works.
oldandhappy
(6,719 posts)So this is a national movement. Hmmmm Now I really do have to think about it!! Thanks.
niyad
(113,344 posts)SoapBox
(18,791 posts)I'll have to ask my partner...he seems to hear about these things.
Hmmmmmm....I am going to need to think about this.