From the Dispatch

Election Reforms to Drive Turnout

Christian Smith-Socaris — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:45:23 -0800

As part of our Shared Multi-State Agenda, the Progressive States Network is working with legislators, advocates and leading experts to promote election reforms that drive voter turnout in states across the country - just in time for the coming 2010 and 2012 election years.

National Popular Vote Signed into Law in Washington

Christian Smith-Socaris — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:02:35 -0700

Washington has become the fifth state to pass the national popular vote (NPV) when Gov. Gregoire signed the legislation on Tuesday.

Washington State Legislature and Nevada Assembly Pass National Popular Vote

Christian Smith-Socaris — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:52:17 -0700

Following votes in the Washington House and Senate, National Popular Vote now goes to the Governor Chris Gregoire. The Nevada Assembly on April 21st became the 27th state legislative chamber overall to approve NPV.

National Popular Vote Advancing Across the States

Christian Smith-Socaris — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 08:30:10 -0700

Our presidential election system - where a handful of states determine the winner and the candidate with the most support does not always win - is perhaps the most widely recognized symbol these days of how far we still remain from a free and equal democracy in which all voters have their voices equally heard. Fixing our dysfunctional Electoral College system by enacting an agreement among the states to implement a national popular vote (NPV) is a key priority for PSN and other progressive groups across the nation. In today's Dispatch we outline recent developments in the movement for a national popular vote, as well as the key reasons that NPV remains a crucial reform for progressives, for states, and for the nation as a whole.

New Mexico House Approves National Popular Vote - 23rd Legislative Chamber to Support NPV

Christian Smith-Socaris — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:05:49 -0800

Last Friday, the New Mexico House of Representatives approved the National Popular Vote bill by a vote of 42-27, becoming the 23rd legislative chamber in the country to support adopting a system where the candidate winning the most votes for President nationally would win the election. The vote in the House reflected polls in the state showing 76% support for moving to national popular vote.

Electoral College Killed Auto Industry Aid Bill - And Michigan House Approves NPV Bill to Kill Electoral College

Nathan Newman — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:37:42 -0800

When the U.S. Senate killed the auto industry rescue bill last week, some conservative commentators saw it as payback for Michigan voting the wrong way in the November election. William D. Zeranski at the popular rightwing American Thinker site argued, "We know which way those 17 Electoral College votes will go. So, how does helping bailout the Big Three help the GOP?"

Local Michigan Republican leaders themselves began worrying that national party leaders would begin ignoring state concerns after McCain lost the Great Lakes states. As Republican pollster Steve Lombardo said after the election, "It's a matter of worry...It may be that Republicans begin to write off Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota." Of course, the writing off of all Michigan voters only makes sense politically because of the Electoral College.

Maine Senate Enacts National Popular Vote

Christian Smith-Socaris — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 06:38:00 -0700

On April 2nd, the Maine Senate passed a National Popular Vote bill, LD 1744, that would guarantee that the Presidential candidate who receives the most votes in all 50 states wins the Presidency. The bill is an interstate compact, which would take effect only when states possessing a majority of the membership of the Electoral College (that is 270 of 538 electoral votes) enact similar statutes.

Making Voting Easier Assists Record Turnout in Presidential Primaries

PSN — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 05:43:00 -0700

Interest in the presidential election has been extremely strong throughout the primary season. As a result many states have experienced voter turnout that is significantly higher than past elections. This trend has been especially striking among young voters who have doubled and tripled their rates of participation in many states. Enabling this turnout have been a number of reforms, from early voting to election day registration to mail-in voting procedures that have encouraged wider participation.

National Popular Vote- A Voter Turnout and Civil Rights Issue

PSN — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 04:06:00 -0800

We've seen in recent weeks the quadrennial year complaints about the disproportionate effects that a handful of states like Iowa and New Hampshire have on the nominating process, but that is just a shadow of the far larger distortion of our democracy due to the Electoral College.