Let’s have a vote…
It appears that there will be a push to change how Minnesota elects a President. Several lobbyists (including Gov. Pawlenty's 2002 campaign manger) have registered to lobby on behalf of The National Popular Vote. That group is pushing states across the country to scrap the electoral college system and adopt a system that allows the president to be elected by the national popular vote. Here's a snapshot of the effort from the groups website:
The National Popular Vote bill would guarantee a majority of the Electoral College to the presidential candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The bill would reform the Electoral College so that the electoral vote in the Electoral College reflects the choice of the nation's voters for President of the United States.
Several groups have complained that the electoral college system isn't fair since it gives certain states greater clout during the campaign. For example, the candidates will criss cross Ohio over the next few months but will only treat California like an in and out ATM. Others complain it's undemocratic since Democrat Al Gore received more votes than Republican George Bush in 2000.
Several states (including Maryland, Illinois and Hawaii) have adopted the system. It would take two thirds approval by Congress and the states to change the constitution. But the Constitution allows states to choose how the electors vote for President. The thinking is that if enough states bind together, the national popular vote will end up working.
DFL Rep. Steve Simon plans to introduce the bill next session. No other lawmakers are listed as supporters on the group's website.
So what do you think: Should the Presidential race be decided on the Electoral College system or by the national popular vote?
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