Listen to the story HERE By Kathryn Carley March 4, 2024 Ahead of Super Tuesday, a new poll finds a majority of Mainers support replacing the Electoral College system with a national popular vote. More than 70% of those surveyed would support changing the current system of how America’s president is elected, including more than 50% of Republicans. Chris Pearson, […]
Listen to the story HERE
By Kathryn Carley
March 4, 2024
Ahead of Super Tuesday, a new poll finds a majority of Mainers support replacing the Electoral College system with a national popular vote.
More than 70% of those surveyed would support changing the current system of how America’s president is elected, including more than 50% of Republicans.
Chris Pearson, executive director of the group National Popular Vote and a former Congressman from Vermont, said the candidate with the most votes nationwide should win.
“I think this will bolster confidence in the system and have an impact down-ballot,” Pearson contended. “And generally give Americans a better sense of ownership over our democracy.”
Maine lawmakers are considering a bill to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. The bill has already been enacted in 17 states totaling 205 electoral votes, just 65 votes short of the 270 needed for the national popular vote system to take effect.
Pearson said the 2020 presidential election exposed the vulnerabilities of the Electoral College. President Joe Biden won by seven million votes, but it was razor-thin margins in Arizona, Georgia and Wisconsin that handed him the presidency. Pearson said a smaller percentage of Americans are deciding the outcomes of elections.
“Unless you happen to live in one of these decisive battleground states, you’re taken for granted because you live in a safe red or safe blue state and the outcome is not really in question.”
Pearson said the legislation in Maine has strong bipartisan support, but some lawmakers contend the national popular vote would be unconstitutional or cause more rural states such as Maine to lose their electoral power. Pearson said a lack of urgency may be the greatest hurdle. If enacted by enough states this year, a national popular vote system would not be in place for the 2024 election.
References:
Welcome to the Solon Center for Research and Publishing first bimonthly issue of Insights Literary/Art Journal. Stories from authors published and unpublished will debut here. Original art will accompany the stories. We’ll host contests, working with Gallery Fukurou, of Rockland, Maine and the Maine publisher Polar Bear & Company.
Maine Insights, a 501(c)4, connects our main streets with lawmakers in Augusta, highlighting state policies, technological innovations, agriculture, education, community growth and economics with factual analysis, individual profiles and exclusive in-depth coverage. We also report on areas where justice is not being served in the hope to be a contributing catalyst for change.
Your contribution today, will ensure our reporting continues into the future. Please send your donation to 8 Brook St., Solon, ME 04979.
Visit PEN for in-depth coverage of how America is addressing the climate crises. Systemic racism has held back progress, along with the deep pockets of industry that don’t want to change the status quo.
Protect Earth Newsmagazine highlights what lawmakers from the local level on up to the Federal Government are doing to protect the earth. We also report on community ingenuity and innovations that will help the U.S.A. transition to being powered by 100 percent, clean renewable energy. A 501(c)3 project of the Solon Center for Research and Publishing.
Maine Insights Newsmagazine 