Us Congress House Bill HJR227

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Caption

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

The bill's impact on state laws is significant, as it would require states to revise their election processes to align with the new direct election system. Currently, many states have laws that dictate how their electoral votes are allocated; these laws would need to be altered or repealed entirely, centralizing the power of electing the President and Vice President at the level of individual voters rather than through electors. This change aims to increase voter engagement and ensure that the election outcomes better reflect the popular will.

Summary

HJR227 proposes an amendment to the United States Constitution aimed at abolishing the electoral college. Instead, it establishes a framework for the direct election of the President and Vice President by the voters of the United States. Under this proposed resolution, each voter would cast a single vote for a pair of candidates, and the candidates receiving the most votes would be elected. This shift would fundamentally change the way presidential elections are conducted, moving the responsibility of electing leaders from the electoral college to the general populace.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HJR227 include debates over the efficacy and fairness of the electoral college system. Proponents argue that abolishing the electoral college would enhance democratic principles by ensuring that every vote carries equal weight, thereby mitigating instances where candidates can win the presidency without a majority of the popular vote. Conversely, opponents express concerns about potential disruptions to the established electoral framework and fear that a direct voting system could lead to larger issues, such as regional disparities in campaign attention and policy-making.