April 2025 Update

April 8, 2025 in NPV Florida Monthly Updates

News from National

Congressman Jamie Raskin (D- Maryland) Talks about National Popular Vote

Here is 2-minute video of Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin talking about the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.

Click here for a longer (9-minute) discussion by US Rep. Raskin

What’s Happening in Florida?

Survey Finds that Most Florida Voters Believe the President Should be Elected by Popular Vote

Mainstreet Research of Florida Atlantic University released the results of a survey that found 57% of Florida voters think the President should be elected by popular vote as compared with 37% who favor the Electoral College, and 6% were unsure.

Kevin Wagner, Professor of Political Science and Associate Dean at FAU commenting on the survey’s results said, “The data indicate that a majority of Floridians support electing the president by a national popular vote. This reflects a concern with ensuring that each vote carries equal weight, regardless of state boundaries. He continued, “One of the clearest research outcomes is the emphasis voters place on fairness. 74% of respondents stated that it is very important that every vote counts equally in presidential elections, underscoring a shared democratic principle across the electorate.” This reflects Florida voter frustration that “winner take all” laws minimize a vote in Florida so it is worth less than a vote in Wyoming.

The survey was conducted using a sample of 988 registered voters living in Florida in both English and Spanish. The survey was intended to represent the voting population and weighted for gender, race, education, and past voting preferences.

Mainstreet Research, part of Florida Atlantic University, provides comprehensive market research, analysis, and advice to major media outlets across the country. This poll is the exclusive property of Mainstreet Research and FAU. Any reproduction, in whole or in part of this report or the data contained herein is expressly prohibited without written authorization by Mainstreet Research and FAU.

To obtain a full copy of the survey results write to npvic.florida@gmail.com.

Status of National Popular Vote Bills in Florida State Legislature

We are pleased to announce that Senator Kristen Arrington (D) District 25, has agreed to continue the sponsorship of Senate Bill SB 208, recommending that legislators vote to adopt the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact for the State of Florida. Rep. Michael Gottlieb is the sponsor for the bill, HB 33, in the House of Representatives.

We were saddened to learn of the untimely death of State Senator Geraldine Thompson. Senator Thompson was the bill’s original sponsor.

To date, additional co-sponsors from the Senate include Thompson, Berman, Polsky, Davis, Smith, Rouson, Jones, Osgood, and Sharief. Additional co-sponsors from the House are Campell, Casello, Cross, Eskamani, Harris, Robinson F, Rosenwald, Skidmore, Tendrich, and Woodson. Co-sponsorships from additional Congress members are expected.

YOU CAN HELP! Write or call your Senator or Representative and urge them to pass this bill. To find your representatives, use this link.

Local Happenings

March Presentations:

On March 11, the League of Women Voters – Massachusetts hosted a Zoom presentation about NPV. Daniel Lishansky of the FNPV steering committee was the presenter. Approximately 40 people were in attendance. A lively Q & A followed.

March 19 – The Tennis Club at the Quail Ride Club in Boynton Beach was the site of an NPV presentation by Kathleen Crampton. The 25 attendees learned about the electoral College and its challenges. They found the promise of the NPV both surprising, since none had known about it before, and achievable as only 61 more electoral college votes are needed to achieve it.

March 25 – Floridians for National Popular Vote Presenters Sarah Peacock and Paul Carder delivered their NPV presentation via Zoom at both 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM.

Also on March 25, Floridians for National Popular Vote (this is a singular org) was represented by FNPV member Jody Breaud at the Spring Newcomer League of Women Voters of Orange County. The table staffing generated 12 new supporters (and email recipients) from the Orange County League.

Upcoming Events

April 12 – Mr. Lishansky will be presenting to the LWV of the Space Coast (Brevard County).

May 1 – 5:00 PM. You are invited to join a meeting: What exactly is the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact? How does it work? Why should I care? After registering you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Presenters are Sarah Peacock and Paul Carder. Register Here.

May 3 – Daniel Lishansky has been invited to present at the League of Women Voters of Arlington and Alexandria Virginia Annual Meeting.

If you are interested in attending either one of Dan’s presentations, please email him at NPV@lwvpbc.org for the Zoom link.

Myth Busters

There are many misconceptions about the Electoral College and how the proposed National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, when enacted, will affect future elections. Each issue of the Newsletter will address one of these commonly held beliefs.

Myth: The Electoral College would be abolished by the National Popular Vote Compact

Reality: The National Popular Vote Compact would not abolish the Electoral College. Instead, it would change how state legislators direct their electors to vote. The Compact would make the Electoral College reflect the choice of the voters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The National Popular Vote Compact would replace state winner-take-all statutes with a different state statute, namely one that guarantees the presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

(Source: Every Vote Equal)

Meet the FNPV Steering Committee: Valerie Schulz

Valerie Schulz began teaching at UCF as an adjunct in 2010. She became a full-time instructor in the fall of 2012 for the Department of Health Sciences in the College of Health Professions and Sciences. A Florida native, Schulz has been a registered dietitian (RDN) since 1982, working clinically in Illinois, Arizona and Florida. She added the certified diabetes educator (CDE) credential in 2004, to better serve her clients (now retired). She has a Master of Medical Science from Emory University. Her main interests include reading new evidence for the benefits of good nutrition to incorporate into teaching.

Why I’m involved with FNPV: I love facts, science and understanding logically how things work or should work. So, wanting to see the election of the US president by direct vote instead of the Electoral College is the most logical way I see to accomplish the election by the people.

FNPV Welcomes New Liaison with Common Cause

Franceska Edouard, the newly appointed Florida Organizer for Florida Common Cause, will be serving as a liaison between Florida Common Cause and the FNPV Steering Committee. The organization Common Cause supports the enactment of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.

Ms. Edouard is highly qualified for her role as community organizer for action to strengthen democracy, champion voting rights, and engage communities in civic advocacy.

She is a three-time alumna of Florida State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in both Psychology and Political Science, and a master’s degree in public administration. Her prior professional career includes working as an Election Protection Organizer with Common Cause, and experience working for the United States Congress, the Florida Senate and House of Representatives.

We are pleased to welcome Ms. Edouard as a member of our team.