Us Congress Senate Bill SJR121

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Caption

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to abolish the electoral college and to provide for the direct election of the President and Vice President of the United States.

Impact

If enacted, SJR121 would significantly impact the way presidential elections are conducted in the United States. Abolishing the electoral college would eliminate the indirect election method that has been in place, where electors are chosen by each state predominately based on the popular vote within that state. This amendment could potentially lead to more equitable representation of votes, where every individual's vote carries the same weight regardless of their state of residence, possibly leading to a wider variety of candidates being able to compete for presidential office.

Summary

SJR121 is a joint resolution that aims to propose an amendment to the United States Constitution, which seeks to abolish the electoral college. Instead, it advocates for the direct election of the President and Vice President by the voters of the United States. This resolution outlines a new process where each voter casts a single vote for a pair of candidates for the presidential and vice-presidential positions, and the candidate pair with the most votes would be elected to office. This fundamental shift seeks to strengthen democratic principles by aligning the election process more closely with popular will.

Contention

Notable points of contention around SJR121 involve the debate about the effectiveness and fairness of the electoral college system versus a popular vote system. Proponents argue that direct elections would enhance democracy and ensure that the winner represents the majority of the voters. Critics, however, voice concerns about the potential for larger population centers to dominate electoral outcomes, thus undermining the interests of less populated areas. This contentious issue raises questions about state representation and voter equality, making it a significant topic for discussion in legislative circles.