Let the popular vote prevail

Point of View

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The Electoral College is an affront to democracy. For the second time in just 16 years the second place finisher was elected President. That candidate, who threatened for the first time in U.S. history not to accept the results of the election (and presumably the peaceful transition of power), is the one who was elected. And the candidate who won the national popular vote by perhaps as many as two million votes lost. Trump came in second place, fair and square. 

My legislation, known as the National Popular Vote Compact (NPV), if enacted by enough states, would guarantee that the winner of the national popular vote is always the one who is elected President. We all learn at an early age about the democratic process and that the person who receives the most votes wins an election. This is true for Congress members, governors, mayors down to class treasurer and dog catcher. It’s true for every office, except the most important office in the world, President of the United States. That is because back in the eighteenth century the founding fathers created the Electoral College in the Constitution. They did it both to prevent the voters, i.e. white male property owners, from directly electing the President and also to give a disproportionate say to the smaller states. This eighteenth century relic has now resulted in five “losers” becoming President in U.S. history, including George W. Bush and Donald Trump. (The last time a newly elected Republican President won the most popular votes was in 1988 when George H.W. Bush was elected.)

Once enough states adopt NPV, as New York has, such that they comprise at least 270 electoral votes, the interstate compact will take effect. It would obligate all states in the compact to vote their electors for the winner of the national popular vote, guaranteeing that the person who receives the most votes is always elected President. In what other democracy can the loser be the winner and the candidate with the most votes the loser? None, except in the U.S., the greatest democracy of all.

NPV will result in candidates campaigning throughout the country, not just in swing states. The issues of all states will be addressed in presidential campaigns. This electoral reform would once again make New York voters relevant to presidential candidates. The needs and issues facing New Yorkers are no less important than those in Florida, Ohio, and other swing states. Those who live in solid red or blue states where the outcome is virtually guaranteed would no longer be bystanders in an election that really takes place in just a small number of states. Voter participation would increase in the blue and red states. Currently, New York serves as nothing but an ATM machine for Presidential candidates. 

The United States consists of fifty states, but we are one country. All of the voters throughout our great country should have an equal say in electing a president. With NPV every vote in every state across the nation will count equally, something which is not now true. The idea of one person, one vote will be made a reality with this compact.   

Let’s make the United States of America a true democracy when it comes to electing our President. Let’s make NPV a reality so that the most votes wins for every office, including President.

Riverdalian Jeffrey Dinowitz is the assemblyman from New York’s 81st District, which includes the northwest Bronx from Riverdale to Wakefield. Point of view is a column open to all.

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