Rhode Island Joins National Popular Vote Compact

Rhode Island state lawmakers endorsed the National Popular Vote Compact back in 2008 but former Governor Carcieri vetoed the legislation. However, current Governor Lincoln Chafee has signed the latest bill, and Rhode Island is the ninth state to enact the law, along with Washington D.C.

Before Rhode Island joined, the combined states had only 132 electoral votes, about 49% of the 270 needed to guarantee the presidency to the winner of the popular vote. Now, with the addition of Rhode Island's four votes, the compact has officially crossed the halfway mark at 136 votes!

But for the time being, nothing changes. Remember, the Agreement Among the States to elect the President by National Popular Vote only takes effect when it has been approved by enough states to guarantee that the majority of Electoral College votes would go the winner of the national popular vote.

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National Popular Vote: (Almost) Halfway There

On Monday California Governor Jerry Brown signed the National Popular Vote bill, making California the 8th state to enact the law, along with Washington D.C.

With California on board, the National Popular Vote plan now has 49% of the electoral votes needed (132 of 270) to guarantee the presidency to the winner of the popular vote. With 55 electoral votes, California is not only the largest state to sign on so far, but also the state with the greatest number of electoral votes. Texas (who has not signed the agreement) is the state with the second largest number of votes, at 38 (after the 2010 reapportionment).

Remember, the Agreement Among the States to elect the President by National Popular Vote only takes effect when it has been approved by enough states to guarantee that the majority of Electoral College votes would go the winner of the national popular vote. Although the movement still has plenty of work ahead, for now supporters are sure to enjoy their latest victory.

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Vermont Joins National Popular Vote Movement

On Friday, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin will sign the state's National Popular Vote bill into law. The National Popular Vote plan is a nationwide effort to award the presidency to the winner of the national popular vote, bypassing the Electoral College.

Vermont joins the District of Columbia (who passed it in October), along with Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington.

However, the Agreement Among the States to elect the President by National Popular Vote will only take effect when it has been approved by enough
states to guarantee that the majority of Electoral College votes would go the winner of the national popular vote. Learn more about the National Popular Vote.

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The Massachusetts House will take up H678, the National Popular Vote Plan bill, on Wednesday, July 9. This Boston Herald article says the Speaker of the House supports the bill.

National Popular Vote Vetoed in Rhode Island

On July 4th, RI Governor Carcieri vetoed the national popular vote compact. The measure has the support of 74% of Rhode Islanders across party lines.
In his veto message, Governor Carcieri claimed that "no serious effort had been made" to amend the Constitution to create a national popular vote, despite the fact that amendments have been proposed and voted on in Congress several times in the 20th century.
Read more.

CA Legislature Passes National Popular Vote Plan

On 06/30, the California Assembly passed National Popular Vote Plan bill (SB 37). The measure already passed the State Senate in 2007.

The bill now will be sent for the second time to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for signature (Governor Schwarzenegger previously vetoed the measure in 2006).

Rhode Island Legislature Passes National Popular Vote

On June 19th, the Rhode Island House joined the Senate in passing the National Popular Vote Plan bill S 2112. The vote was 36-34. The bill now goes to Governor Donald Carcieri for signature. Read more.

Rhode Island Legislature Passes National Popular Vote

On June 19, the Rhode Island House joined the Senate in passing the National Popular Vote Plan bill S 2112, . The vote was 36-34. The bill has been sent to Governor Donald Carcieri for approval. Next up: Massachusetts, New York and North Carolina. Read more.

Link-
http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2008/06/21/ri_lawmakers_approve_plan_on_national_popular_vote/


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