April 2019 – Updates from the Chair

As you can see, several states are making strong progress towards passing NPVIC legislation. We are optimistic that the states in this ‘second wave’ of NPVIC passage will serve to prod other legislatures to seriously consider the bill (including our own!) Thank you all for your continuing support and efforts.

NPVIC Bills Progress Across the States

Delaware: On March 28, 2019, Governor Carney signed the National Popular Vote bill, making Delaware the 14th jurisdiction to enact the bill into law. The League of Women Voters and Common Cause Delaware have been cited as especially helpful in getting the bill passed in the Delaware legislature.

New Mexico: New Mexico’s Governor Grishom signed their NPVIC bill on April 3, 2019, thus adding 5 electoral votes to our tally. Again, one of the leaders in New Mexico who helped pass NPV legislation was Ute Haker who represented the LWV.

With New Mexico’s and Delaware’s bills passed and signed, NPVIC bills have now been enacted into law in 15 jurisdictions with 189 electoral votes in the following states:

CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, HI, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NM, NY, RI, VT, WA.

The bill will take effect when enacted by states with 81 more electoral votes.

A number of other states are making good progress toward passing NPVIC. The bill has passed one house in 8 additional states with 72 electoral votes AR, AZ, ME, MI, NC, NV, OK, OR. This includes a 40-16 vote in the Republican-controlled Arizona House and a 28-18 vote in the Republican-controlled Oklahoma Senate. Additionally, NPVIC has been approved unanimously by committee votes in two additional Republican-controlled states that together represent 26 more electoral votes (GA, MO). We will keep you updated on the progress in those states if and when they get closer to signing.

Representative Geller and Senator Torres File NPVIC Bills in Florida

Representative Geller filed House Bill 949 on February 20, 2019 and Senator Torres filed the companion bill, Senate Bill 1048, on February 14, 2019. Although referred to 3 committees in their respective chambers, neither has been scheduled for a hearing.

Left to right: Ken Thomas, President of the LWV Palm Beach County; Karen Wilkerson, Former President of the LWV Palm Beach County; and Kathleen Crampton, Chair, NPV Initiative meet with Representative Joseph Geller to thank him for submitting HB 949, Florida’s 2019 NPVIC Bill.

Senator Victor Torres and Mrs. Carmen Torres (center) are flanked by supporters of the National Popular Vote. From the left: Nicolette Springer, LWVFL Lobbyist; Carole Hayes, LWV Tallahassee; Carmen Torres; Senator Torres; Frances Wagar, LWVTL; Kathleen Crampton, Chair NPV FL; Steve Carter, LWVTL; and Trish Neeley, LWVTL.

FAU Constitution Day to Focus on National Popular Vote

The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County and the Political Science Department of Florida Atlantic University are sponsoring their Constitution Day celebration on September 18. Hosting such an event is mandatory for all institutions of higher learning that receive federal funds. Held annually on September 18, each college or university is required to sponsor an event that focuses on a topical issue related to the Constitution. This year, FAU will focus its event on the National Popular Vote. Anna Novarro, a well-known TV news reporter, and Patrick Rosensteil from National Popular Vote will speak about the National Popular Vote.

Meeting to discuss plans for FAU’s Constitution Day on Wednesday, September 18th are, left to right: Helen Ostrowski, LWVPBC; Craig Agranoff, Political Science Department, FAU; Dr. Kevin Wagner, Chair of FAU’s Political Science Department; and Kathleen Crampton, NPV FL Chair.