Connecticut House Bill HB05736

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

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

Caption

An Act Joining Connecticut With Other States In The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would amend Title 9 of the General Statutes to align Connecticut with other states that have already adopted this compact. The agreement will only activate once a sufficient number of states, collectively holding at least 270 electoral votes, join the compact. This could significantly affect the way Connecticut contributes to presidential elections, as it would no longer operate under the existing system where electoral votes are typically awarded on a winner-take-all basis. Instead, the will of the national popular vote will direct the state's electoral votes, potentially increasing voter engagement in presidential elections.

Summary

House Bill 5736 proposes that Connecticut joins the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, an agreement among states to allocate their electoral votes to the candidate who receives the most votes nationwide in a presidential election. This bill aims to reform the existing Electoral College system, ensuring that the decision of the electorate directly influences the election of the President of the United States. By binding Connecticut to cast its electoral votes in accordance with the national popular vote, the bill seeks to enhance the democratic process by making every vote count equally, regardless of state boundaries.

Contention

The shift to a national popular vote system has its critics, who argue that it could undermine the influence of smaller states and lead to the neglect of their interests in favor of populous urban areas. Proponents of HB 5736 counter that this approach would enhance the representation of all voters and ensure that candidates must appeal to a broader constituency rather than focusing predominantly on swing states. The discussions surrounding this bill highlight the ongoing debate over electoral reform and the balance of power between state and national governance in directing the democratic process.