In a significant stride towards altering the presidential election process, Maine has become the latest state to embrace the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, pushing the United States closer to a system where the popular vote could decide the Commander-in-Chief. This legislative move could have far-reaching implications on how future presidents are elected and shift the political battlefield beyond its current confined battlegrounds.
Maine Governor Janet Mills opted for a passive endorsement, allowing a bill to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact to become law without her signature. The bill’s success in Maine adds four electoral votes to the Compact’s tally, which now consists of 17 states plus Washington, D.C., and embodies a total of 209 electoral votes—just 61 votes shy of the 270 needed to elect a president.
The Compact will only take effect when it secures the commitment of enough states to total 270 electoral votes, thereby ensuring that the presidential candidate who garners the most popular votes nationwide is guaranteed the presidency. This innovative arrangement seeks to bestow equal significance on each vote, regardless of the voter’s state of residence, addressing concerns about the current weight of votes based on state-by-state wins.
In the contentious debate surrounding the adoption, supporters like Douglas Rooks from Augusta argued the importance of trusting American citizens to directly choose their president by majority vote, akin to other elected offices in the land. Betsy Williams from Brunswick emphasized the quest for fairness, highlighting that a significant portion of Maine’s presidential votes in 2020 were rendered moot under the Electoral College since they did not align with the district winner.
Opponents, however, expressed concerns that such a change would undermine the intentions of the founding fathers and tilt the scales of power towards densely populated urban areas. Critics like Joseph Grant from Wiscasset also voiced fears that Maine would diminish its significance in presidential elections by adhering to the Compact.
Amidst this debate, the specter of legal challenges looms large. Questions persist about how the Compact will withstand the inevitable judicial scrutiny once enough states have pledged their delegates. Legal experts like Derek Muller from Notre Dame Law School anticipate “a lot of deep legal contestation over what happens next,” with potential litigation strategies varying widely.
The concerns echo historical examples, such as when Oregon adopted “preference polls” before the direct election of senators was established through a constitutional amendment. Legal authority Darrell West from the Brookings Institute suggests that the uncertainty surrounding the constitutionality of the Compact could lead to Supreme Court rulings that would determine its fate.
Relevant articles:
– State law takes US a step closer to popular vote deciding presidential elections., abcnews.go.com, 04/29/2024
– Recapping Maine’s Legislature: National popular vote bill, The Maine Monitor, Sun, 28 Apr 2024 14:34:45 GMT
– 15th county to vote on seceding from Oregon – Ballotpedia News, Ballotpedia News, Mon, 29 Apr 2024 07:46:00 GMT
– Democratic leader: Maine would be ‘compelled’ to act if Nebraska changes to winner-take-all, Bangor Daily News, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:44:29 GMT
– Maine GOP platform protects Guard from overseas deployments, Spectrum News, Sat, 27 Apr 2024 21:35:00 GMT