Connecticut House Bill HB05205

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/5/17
• Refer: 1/5/17

Caption

An Act Concerning An Agreement Among The States To Elect The President Of The United States By National Popular Vote.

Impact

If enacted, HB 05205 would have significant implications for state election laws and the electoral process as a whole. It proposes that the state's electoral votes would only be awarded to candidates who achieve a plurality of votes nationally, thus altering the current system that often sees candidates win states and their respective electoral votes even if they do not have a majority of the popular vote. This bill is part of a broader movement to create a system where every vote carries equal weight, potentially leading to a more democratic representation in presidential elections.

Summary

House Bill 05205 proposes an act that aims to enter Connecticut into an interstate compact designed to elect the President of the United States via a national popular vote. Specifically, the bill's intent is to ensure that Connecticut commits its electoral votes to the presidential candidate who receives the highest total of votes nationwide, rather than adhering to the traditional state-based allocation of electoral votes. This act seeks to change the method of presidential election in a manner that reflects the collective will of the electorate across the states.

Contention

While the bill may promote a more equitable voting system, it is likely to raise considerable debate and division among legislators and the public. Opponents of the national popular vote compact argue that it undermines the federal structure of the electoral college and diminishes the influence of smaller states in national elections. Supporters believe this model can reinvigorate public engagement in the electoral process by ensuring that every vote is significant, regardless of state boundaries. The contention lies in balancing state rights with the pursuit of a uniform national voting approach.