Pennsylvania looks to move to ‘National Popular Vote' over electoral college vote
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — Two Pennsylvania Representatives have introduced a bill that would elect a presidential candidate based on popular vote instead of electoral college votes.
The bill, authored by Reps. Christopher Rabb and Heather Boyd, argue that there is a fundamental contradiction between the 'one-person, one-vote' principle in American democracy and the electoral college. This contradiction lies in the fact that twice in recent presidential elections, five times in U.S. history total, the winner of the electoral college received fewer total votes than their opponent.
'Every voter, of every party, should have an equal voice in presidential elections,' Rabb said. 'This is the fundamental principle that our democracy builds on – that every vote counts equally. Not that some votes count more than others. It is time for PA to join other states in ensuring that every vote counts equally.'
The bill would move Pennsylvania to a 'popular vote system,' joining 17 other states and the District of Columbia in the National Popular Vote movement. The Representatives argue that Pennsylvania voters should feel as though they play a meaningful role by electing the president by National Popular Vote.
If passed, the legislation would guarantee the presidency to the candidate who wins the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and would take effect when states with 270 electoral votes have passed the bill. The National Popular Vote bill has a total of 209 electoral, with Pennsylvania offering 19.
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