Rhode Island updates on NPV, the Electoral College, and federalism.
NPV status: introduced 2007-failed; passed House and Senate 2008-governor vetoed; passed Senate 2009-failed. S. 161 (p. 42)
The NPV (a state-by-state campaign to abolish the Electoral College) has amassed 77 electoral votes by state legislatures passing bills committing their votes to the winner of the national popular vote. For more back story, click here. What’s surprising is the amount of time, energy and money they’ve spent in one tiny state: Rhode Island. NPV...
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The balance of power between state and national governments was one of the most contentious issues for the American Founders. The states were important historically, but also as a way to keep government close to the people and to divide government power into as many hands as practical in order to preserve liberty. At...
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Great news. The Rhode Island House last week declined to adopt the NPV legislation, despite approving it last year. (Last year, both House and Senate approved the measure, but the Governor vetoed the bill.) Last week’s House vote was 28 for and 45 against. Providence Journal story on NPV in Rhode Island
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