Many states have become the movers and shakers while those on Capitol Hill appear to ride their legislation through the House on a slow train, at least until now. Usually, Senate Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) stands at the door to the Senate and blocks Democratic legislation, but why? It appears that both he and Donald Trump share a strong relationship with the Russians. That means change is up to the states, and this one has just made news.
As of now, the voters have not really elected a president. Instead, they elect a member of the Electoral College. Then, that member votes for the president, hopefully for the one the people wanted, but not necessarily. More than ever, people have begun to insist that their votes count.
Nevada legislators passed a bill that puts it in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. The bill, AB186, will send the state’s Electoral College votes to the winner of the popular vote. This will greatly impact the 2020 elections. Trump won the Electoral College votes, but Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by three million. Voters are tired of this situation.
The next step for Nevada is to send their legislation to Democratic Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak’s desk for a signature.
With New Mexico just joining, the total of state’s electoral votes was up to 189. Nevada will add six votes for a grand total of 195. If the states in the compact can reach 270, which is required for a president to win, the agreement will click into place.
Why did the country even have an Electoral College? ,” According to History Central:
‘The Electoral College was created for two reasons. The first purpose was to create a buffer between the population and the selection of a President. The second as part of the structure of the government that gave extra power to the smaller states.’
The founding fathers were afraid that the people could be swayed by a charismatic candidate, “a tyrant could manipulate public opinion and come to power:”
‘The first reason that the founders created the Electoral College is hard to understand today. The founding fathers were afraid of direct election to the Presidency. They feared a tyrant could manipulate public opinion and come to power.’
Unfortunately, the Electoral College did not in actuality prevent a manipulative tyrant from occupying the White House.
The other states in the pact are, as CNN reported:
‘California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington state and the District of Columbia.’
Maine stands next in the queue with four electoral votes. That would give the states’ a total of 199 votes, so momentum has begun to build.
The popular vote is one of the presidential candidates’ key points. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) advocated for it in a CNN town hall in March.
“My view is that every vote matters, and the way we can make that happen is that we can have national voting, and that means get rid of the Electoral College — and every vote counts.”
Since then, the other Democratic candidates who support the popular vote include former representative Beto O’Rourke (D-TX) and Senator. Kamala Harris (D-CA).
