Connecticut House Bill HB05435

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/17
• Refer: 1/11/17

Caption

An Act Concerning Election Of The President Of The United States By National Popular Vote.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would significantly alter how presidential elections are conducted in Connecticut and beyond. Joining this compact would mean that Connecticut's electoral votes would not necessarily follow the traditional winner-takes-all model, which often marginalizes smaller or less populous states in campaign strategies. By participating in the national popular vote initiative, the state would aim to ensure that every vote carries equal weight in the presidential race, potentially increasing voter engagement and turnout during elections.

Summary

House Bill 5435 proposes an amendment to Title 9 of the general statutes to adopt the Interstate Compact for electing the President of the United States by national popular vote. The essence of the bill is to commit the votes of Connecticut's Electoral College members to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote, aligning the state's electoral practice with the majority sentiment of the country's populace. This bill seeks to bolster the democratic principles of representation by ensuring that the candidate with the most votes nationwide is elected, regardless of state-by-state outcomes.

Contention

The bill may provoke debate regarding the Electoral College system's effectiveness and relevance in modern elections. Proponents of HB 5435 argue that it corrects disenfranchisement of voters whose favored candidates lose at the state level despite winning the nationwide vote. Conversely, detractors may express concerns about undermining states' rights and the potentially disruptive implications of such significant electoral reform. Various viewpoints arise around issues including federalism, election integrity, and the strategic dynamics of presidential campaigns in light of the change.