Most of us have grown up with the belief that the presidential candidate who receives the most votes from American voters wins the election. Unfortunately, when the Constitution was written, a compromise was reached that established a system of state electors who are allowed to cast votes that do not necessarily represent the national popular vote: that is, the majority of Americans who cast a vote. There have been two presidential elections since 2000 when the candidate who did not have a majority of the popular vote won the election.
The National Popular Vote legislation would guarantee that the presidential candidate with the most popular votes wins. This means every voter in every state will be politically relevant. Maine legislation for a National Popular Vote, L.D. 1578, requires electors to award Maine’s Electoral College votes to the presidential candidate with the most popular votes. It will again be presented to the Maine Legislature in 2024.
It is time to ensure that the president of the United States is elected by a majority of all American voters. Make your voice heard by asking your legislator to vote for the passage of L.D. 1578.
Janice Cohen
Scarborough
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