April 2023 – Updates

What’s happening in Florida with NPV?

At this writing, the Florida legislative session is wrapping up next week. There are parliamentary rules that cut off any committee discussions at 50 days. This means that if a bill isn’t already past the committee stage, it’s not likely to get any further movement. The legislature must pass a budget. Any priority bills are next in line. The other 3000+ sponsored bills are essentially dead for this session.
Floridians for NPV went to Tallahassee to meet with legislators! As a result we have six co-sponsors for our House Bill #53 and four co-sponsors for Senate Bill #860. Each year we get more support as we educate legislators.

Save the Date: Floridians for National Popular Vote will provide training at the Doubletree by Hilton in downtown Orlando June 2 in conjunction with the League of Women Voters Bi-Annual State Convention. You do not need to be a LWV member to attend the training on June 2. For more details contact Deb@CoachMaz.com.

LWV Bi-Annual State Convention is June 2 – 4, 2023 in Orlando. Complete information and registration materials are here.

What’s Happening Around the Country with NPV?

With a presidential election coming in 2024, state legislatures are primed to consider the National Popular Vote in advance. States that are most likely to consider NPV (with their electoral vote count) are: ME 4, PA 20, NC 15, MN 10, MI 16, AZ 11, NV 6.

It’s official: Florida is not going to be a swing state. The implications are huge: less campaigning + fewer ads + less influence = less money spent.
Nevada’s Assembly passed the NPV. Minnesota’s House also passed it. These first steps are encouraging, but they still need to clear their Senates and be signed by their governors. You can help by making phone calls and sending text messages. Sign up here.

Status of National Popular Vote         

Fifteen states and the District of Columbia (with 195 electoral votes) have already enacted the National Popular Vote Compact into law. This includes 4 small states (Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Vermont), 8 medium-sized states (Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington), 3 big states (California, Illinois, New York), and the District of Columbia.

The National Popular Vote Compact will take effect when passed by states with an additional 75 electoral votes. The Compact has passed one legislative chamber in 9 additional states with another 88 electoral votes (Arkansas, Arizona, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Nevada, Oklahoma, Virginia).

What’s the Press Say about NPV?

On April 19, 2023 Washington Post Opinion Columnist Jennifer Rubin Answers a reader’s question:

What structural changes do you have in mind for our democracy?

We can try to reach a threshold of states agreeing to the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which would essentially convert U.S. presidential elections to a popular voting system; do away with the Senate filibuster; expand the House of Representatives; give Washington D.C. representation in the House and Senate; and set Supreme Court term limits or expand the court to match the number of circuits (13, currently). In addition, we can end legislative gerrymandering; repair the Voting Rights Act to “fix” the Supreme Court rulings that gutted Sections 2 and 5 of the law; end single-judge divisions (which allows judge shopping); expand lower federal courts (to increase diversity); and expand voting access (e.g., regularize early voting, make Election day a holiday). Finally, we need a constitutional amendment or a Supreme Court reversal of Citizens United. Each reform would put more democracy back into our system.

Floridians for NPV Meet with Legislators in Tallahassee

Valerie Schultz (FL4NPV), FL Senator Lori Berman (NPV co-sponsor), Kathleen Crampton (FL4NPV)

Valerie Schultz (FL4NPV), FL Senator Geri Thompson (NPV co-sponsor), Kathleen Crampton (FL4NPV)

Valerie Schultz (FL4NPV), FL Rep. Michael Gottlieb (NPV sponsor), Kathleen Crampton (FL4NPV)

Valerie Schultz (FL4NPV), FL Rep Felicia Robinson (NPV co-sponsor), Kathleen Crampton (FL4NPV)

Valerie Schultz (FL4NPV), FL Rep Anna Eskamani (NPV co-sponsor), Kathleen Crampton (FL4NPV)

Kathleen Crampton (FL4NPV), FL Rep Dotie Joseph (NPV co-sponsor), Valerie Schultz (FL4NPV)