March 2019 – Updates from the Chair

As you will note from this update, things are really heating up. Thank you to everyone for your continued interest, support and efforts on behalf of NPV.

National Popular Vote: An Idea Whose Time Has Come!

It was a packed house on March 13 at the Sorosis Women’s Club of Orlando when Dr. Vikam Amar, Dean of the University of Illinois Law School, spoke at the LWVOR Hot Topics luncheon. Patti Brigham, LWVFL President, welcomed over 180 members and guests. Dr. Rick Fogelsong, Professor Emeritus, Rollins College, introduced Dr. Amar who provided an overview of the impact of the Electoral system on our elections and the benefits of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. At his conclusion, Dr. Rick Fogelsong, posed a series of questions, which was followed by questions from the floor.

Attendees at the LWVOR Hot Topics luncheon showed lively interest in the NPV.

Patti Brigham, President of the LWVFlorida, discussed several points about NPV with Dr. Vikram Amar, Dean of the University. of Illinois Law School.

Left to right, Kathleen Crampton, LWVFL Chair NPV, Dr. Vikram Amar, Dr. Rick Fogelsong, Professor Emeritus, Political Science at Rollins College, and Leslie Feinberg. Leslie, who coordinated the NPV Hot Topics for the LWVOC, also spoke before the luncheon.

Carmen Torres chats with Tamaira Rivera before Amar Presentation.

NPV Jacksonville team with Issue Chair Pam English.

NPV Bills Progress in Other States

Colorado: Governor Jared Polis signed an NPVIC bill on March 8 that pledges Colorado’s Electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the most votes nationwide. The bill’s sponsors released a statement saying the national popular vote will give each person in Colorado and across the nation an equal vote. “Equal representation is not a red or blue issue — it is a way to ensure every American and every Coloradan has an equal say about who leads our country.”

Unfortunately, the bill had no Republican support in either chamber, and opponents announced plans to circulate petitions so that the bill would be on the 2020 ballot. They will need 124,632 valid signatures by Aug. 1 to put the question on the 2020 ballot.

New Mexico: New Mexico has moved closer to participating in the compact with other states to elect the U.S. president by national popular vote. On March 12, the Senate approved NPVIC legislation by a 25-16 vote and sent the bill to the governor for signature. Although expected to sign it, as of this writing the governor has not yet moved on the legislation.

Delaware: On March 14, the Delaware House of Representatives passed the National Popular Vote bill by 24-17 vote and sent the bill to Governor John Carney for signature. Although he has not as of this writing signed the bill, the Delaware State News reports that the governor plans to.

NPV Materials Reposted to the LWVFL Website

Several NPV documents have been reposted to the NPV section of the LWVFL website. Additionally, the NPV power point has been revised and approved for use by the Speakers Bureau. If you would like copies of the new power point, please see the LWVFL Speaker’s Bureau Website. lwvfl/toolkit.org

LWV Florida Biennial Convention Slated for June 7 and 8

This is a reminder that the LWVFL will hold our biennial Convention on Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8. NPV will hold a Caucus during that meeting. For more information, please see: https://www.lwvfl.org/lwv-florida-convention/