New Jersey Senate Bill S3649

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/26/24
• Refer: 9/26/24

Caption

Repeals the "Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote."

Impact

If passed, S3649 will amend various sections of New Jersey's statutory law, effectively reverting the state's electoral process back to a traditional winner-take-all system. This means that the electoral votes of New Jersey would once again go to the candidate who receives the majority of votes in the state. Such a change is seen by supporters as a restoration of state rights within the electoral process and a way to maintain the constitutional framework of elections.

Summary

Bill S3649 aims to repeal New Jersey's 'Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote,' which was adopted in 2007. The original agreement mandated that New Jersey's electoral votes be allocated to the presidential candidate who wins the nationwide popular vote, regardless of the outcome in New Jersey. The bill's proponents argue that this agreement undermines the state’s electoral rights and may disenfranchise New Jersey voters by circumventing their local electoral choices.

Contention

The conversation surrounding S3649 includes significant contention over the implications of repealing the national popular vote agreement. Critics of the agreement argue that it dilutes the value of individual state votes in presidential elections, while supporters of the repeal contend that it restores proper electoral accountability and respects the constitutional design of the electoral college. This debate raises concerns about the future of electoral integrity and voter representation in New Jersey and beyond.