Award Electors Through National Popular Vote Immediately

 

The purpose of this bill is for Minnesota to switch to allocating its electoral votes based on the winner of the

national popular vote immediately. The failure of the electoral college and how it disagreed with the winner of the

popular vote can be seen twice in the last twenty-five years, the elections of 2000 and 2016. On May 24, 2023, the state

of Minnesota joined the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. The issue with the current law is that it can’t be

enacted immediately, relying on a majority of 270 electoral votes.

 

The power of the current law relies on other state governments making it ineffective. By having to wait for other state

governments to join the compact, Minnesota is allowing for more elections to be won by loosing the popular vote. Since

1988 all presidential elections have been won by relatively slim margins. Waiting for a majority is not necessary

because if Minnesota enacted the law now it could become a swing state aiding the popular vote winner. Finally, if a

candidate wanted to win in Minnesota they would have to campaign across the country in order to win the popular vote.

This would make them a better representative of all Americans.

 

1. The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is a compact between 17 states and the District of Columbia. It states

that when a majority of 270 electoral votes is reached the votes will be allocated based upon the winner of the popular

vote.

2. The electoral college is a group of electors from each state that elect the President. States have the right to

choose their electors.

 

This bill requires no funding.

 

If an elector votes for a candidate who lost the popular vote their vote won’t be counted.

 

This bill would take effect in 2028 for the next presidential election.