Connecticut House Bill HB05882

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/21
• Refer: 1/28/21

Caption

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

Impact

The impact of HB 05882 is significant in terms of state voting laws and electoral processes. If passed, it will alter Connecticut's standing and commitment to the NPVIC, affecting how future presidential elections in the state are conducted. This decision may resonate with other states considering their participation in the compact and may even influence national debates around electoral systems, as the NPVIC aims to unify states in a collective approach to presidential elections based on popular vote rather than the antiquated Electoral College method. As such, the bill may reignite discussions regarding the relevance and functionality of the Electoral College in the modern political landscape.

Summary

House Bill 05882 proposes to withdraw Connecticut from the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC). This agreement, signed by several states, aims to ensure that the presidential candidate who receives the most votes nationwide is elected, rather than the one who wins the Electoral College. By enacting this bill, Connecticut would no longer participate in the collective agreement that aligns state electoral votes with the national popular vote, thereby reverting to the traditional winner-takes-all system unless the National Popular Vote initiative is dismantled by other states as well.

Contention

This bill has sparked notable contention among legislators and the public regarding democratic representation and electoral fairness. Supporters of HB 05882 argue for state sovereignty and the opinion that each state should independently govern its electoral system without being bound by interstate compacts. Conversely, opponents view the bill as a setback for democratic principles that could lead to a disjointed electoral process. Critics suggest that by withdrawing from the NPVIC, Connecticut could disenfranchise voters whose preference aligns with a nationwide popular vote, thus undermining the intent of the popular vote as a reflection of true public sentiment.