The Maine Legislature has now placed itself firmly on the national stage of electoral reform by passing a bill designed to award the state’s presidential electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote. The Legislative decision is aimed at joining the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC), thereby endorsing a movement to elect U.S. presidents based on nationwide voter preference rather than the traditional Electoral College system.
The passage of LD 1578 in Maine comes after robust debate in both chambers, with narrow margins illustrating a fiercely partisan divide on the issue. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Arthur Bell (D-Yarmouth), would effectively commit Maine’s electoral votes to the national popular vote winner once states comprising at least 270 electoral votes have enacted similar legislation. The national popular vote compact now sits at 209 electoral votes with Maine’s inclusion, inching closer to the necessary 270 for activation.
Advocates for the bill argue that the current Electoral College system is outdated and fails to reflect the true will of the American people. They point to the presidential elections of 2000 and 2016, where the candidates who won the popular vote did not ascend to the presidency, as evidence of the system’s flaws. Supporters in the Maine House, such as Rep. Stephen Moriarty (D-Cumberland), posed critical questions about the influence and attention smaller states like Maine receive under the current system, suggesting it is minimal at best.
Opponents, predominantly Republicans, argue that such a move would silence the voices of Maine voters, especially in rural areas, and shift electoral power to more populous states. Rep. Laurel Libby (R-Auburn) emphasized that a vote for the bill would be a vote to diminish the voice of Maine citizens. Some Republicans also claim the bill is an unconstitutional end-run around the proper procedure for amending the system, calling for a constitutional amendment rather than state-by-state legislation.
However, not all Republican voices are against the NPVIC. Notable Republican figures like Saul Anuzis, former chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, have expressed support, pointing out that under the current system, candidates have little incentive to engage with voters in non-swing states. In his view, electing the president by popular vote would benefit all voters and enhance the health of American democracy.
The next step for the legislation lies with Governor Janet Mills, who has yet to indicate whether she will sign LD 1578 into law. If she does, Maine would be joining 16 other states and Washington, D.C., that have endorsed the national popular vote, committing themselves to a potentially seismic shift in the future of U.S. presidential elections.
Relevant articles:
– Maine Legislature throws support behind national movement to elect president via popular vote
– Maine Legislature Passes Bill To Join National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, Democracy Docket, Tue, 05 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT
– led pact to elect president by popular vote instead of Electoral College, Washington Examiner, Thu, 04 Apr 2024 01:31:51 GMT
– House backs bill to pledge Maine’s electoral votes to national popular winner, Press Herald, Tue, 05 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT