Repealing the National Popular Vote Compact (H 7783)

We opposed a bill that would reverse a decision made by the General Assembly over a decade ago, adding Rhode Island to the list of states that joined the National Popular Vote compact.The compact provides that state election officials in all states participating in the plan would award their Electoral College votes to the presidential candidate who receives the largest number of popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It would not go into effect until enacted by states collectively possessing a majority of the electoral vote, or at least 270 of the 538 electoral votes.

We supported this legislation in 2013 because it furthers core principles of democracy. It does so by ensuring that the candidate with the most votes wins. Four times in American history – which is four times too many – that has not happened. The compact also furthers the principle of “one person, one vote.” By ensuring that each vote cast has an equal impact on the outcome of the Presidential election, National Popular Vote gives each citizen equal power in the election, regardless of the state in which the voter lives.