Presidential Popular Vote Without Constitutional Amendment
Apr 12, 2007 07:32 Filed in: Politics
How do we convert the electoral system into a
presidential election by nationwide popular vote
without a constitutional amendment? There is a way.
One state, Maryland, has already enacted into law the National Popular Vote Bill, that, if enacted by enough states whose combined electoral votes equal or exceed 270, automatically gives their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote. No constitutional amendment is required.
A National Popular Vote Bill was introduced in the Mississippi Senate this year, but failed to gain traction. New ideas take a long time to penetrate our state's legislative skull.
The mechanics of the bill are simple. Until a sufficient number of states to create a majority in the electoral college have enacted the bill, nothing happens. But when the magic 270 electoral votes are reached, every participating state, including Mississippi if it enacts the bill, automatically chooses electors pledged to vote for the winner of the popular vote. It doesn't matter which states choose to participate; once an electoral majority is reached, the winner of the popular vote will be automatically elected president.
The Jackson Progressive thinks this is a good idea. Congratulate its sponsors, and if your senators or representatives didn't sponsor it, tell them you think it is a good thing.
Read the National Popular Vote web site for a more comprehensive explanation and for the latest news on the national campaign.
Addendum: Here are the sponsoring Mississippi state senators: Gloria Chisholm Williamson, Robert L. Jackson, Deborah Dawkins, David Lee Jordan, Johnnie E. Walls, Jr., Willie Lee Simmons, and Joseph C. Thomas. Let them know that you appreciate what they have done.
One state, Maryland, has already enacted into law the National Popular Vote Bill, that, if enacted by enough states whose combined electoral votes equal or exceed 270, automatically gives their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote. No constitutional amendment is required.
A National Popular Vote Bill was introduced in the Mississippi Senate this year, but failed to gain traction. New ideas take a long time to penetrate our state's legislative skull.
The mechanics of the bill are simple. Until a sufficient number of states to create a majority in the electoral college have enacted the bill, nothing happens. But when the magic 270 electoral votes are reached, every participating state, including Mississippi if it enacts the bill, automatically chooses electors pledged to vote for the winner of the popular vote. It doesn't matter which states choose to participate; once an electoral majority is reached, the winner of the popular vote will be automatically elected president.
The Jackson Progressive thinks this is a good idea. Congratulate its sponsors, and if your senators or representatives didn't sponsor it, tell them you think it is a good thing.
Read the National Popular Vote web site for a more comprehensive explanation and for the latest news on the national campaign.
Addendum: Here are the sponsoring Mississippi state senators: Gloria Chisholm Williamson, Robert L. Jackson, Deborah Dawkins, David Lee Jordan, Johnnie E. Walls, Jr., Willie Lee Simmons, and Joseph C. Thomas. Let them know that you appreciate what they have done.
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