SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley) introduced AJR 1 urging Congress to abolish the Electoral College and provide for the direct election of the President and Vice President of the United States by popular vote.
“The Electoral College contradicts the fundamental principle of one person, one vote,” said Assemblymember Low. “With the election of President-elect Trump, this represents the second time in the past five elections that a candidate won the popular vote, but did not win the election. It is astounding to me that Hillary Clinton is leading the popular vote by over 2,000,000 votes, but will not be our next President.”
Currently, ten states, including California have already enacted the National Popular Vote bill – AB 459 in 2011 - which ratifies an interstate compact that would guarantee the presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. However, the National Popular Vote interstate compact will not take effect until enacted by states possessing a majority of the electoral votes—that is, enough to elect a President (270 of 538). Under the compact, the winner would be the candidate who received the most popular votes from all 50 states (and DC) on Election Day. So far, the ten states account for 165 electoral votes.
CONTACT: Ben Golombek – (916) 319-2028
