Connecticut Senate Bill SB00108

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/13/17
• Refer: 1/13/17

Caption

An Act Proportionally Awarding The State's Electoral College Votes For President And Vice President Of The United States.

Impact

If enacted, SB00108 would significantly change the current winner-takes-all system that Connecticut follows for allocating its electoral votes. Under the proposed proportional system, the votes would more accurately represent the preferences of the electorate in each congressional district, potentially leading to scenarios where candidates must appeal to a broader audience across Connecticut. This could encourage candidates to campaign in more areas of the state rather than solely focusing on regions that typically vote strongly for one party. Advocates believe this reform could improve voter engagement and ensure that election results more closely align with statewide voter sentiment.

Summary

SB00108, titled 'An Act Proportionally Awarding The State's Electoral College Votes For President And Vice President Of The United States,' was introduced to modify how Connecticut allocates its electoral votes during federal presidential elections. The bill proposes that the two electors representing the state's senators will cast their ballots for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates with the highest total votes statewide. Furthermore, the five electors corresponding to the state's congressional representatives will cast their votes based on the highest total votes obtained in their respective congressional districts. This change is intended to create a more representative electoral process reflecting the vote distribution across different regions of the state.

Contention

The proposal to proportionally allocate Connecticut's electoral college votes has sparked a debate among lawmakers and political analysts. Proponents argue that it enhances democracy by ensuring that every vote carries weight, regardless of party affiliation. On the contrary, critics worry that this change could complicate the presidential election process and dilute the influence of Connecticut's electoral votes. There are concerns that a proportional system may lead to increased difficulty in determining a clear winner in presidential elections, as the distribution of votes might not align with a straightforward majority rule. The discussions around SB00108 reveal a broader debate on state rights versus the existing federal electoral system.