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)

Florida State Senator Victor Torres Files National Popular Vote Bill to Make Every Vote Equal

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – On February 16, Florida State Senator Victor Torres (Senate District 25) introduced the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact “NPV” Bill (Senate Bill 860) to guarantee that the candidate with the most votes wins the U.S. presidency. State Representative Michael Gottlieb previously filed a companion bill (House Bill 53) in the State House of Representatives.

“Twice since 2000, we have elected a president who lost the popular vote, Bush in 2000 and Trump in 2016, highlighting the flaws in our current system. Florida’s legislature needs to pass this bill now,” said Torres. “The candidate who wins the most votes in all 50 states should be president.”

Florida along with 48 other states passed “winner-take-all” laws in the 1800s that awarded all of the state’s electoral votes to the winner of the state’s popular vote. The NPV bill would replace the winner-take-all law so that all of Florida’s 30 electoral votes would go to the candidate who wins the most total votes in all 50 states. This would mean all of Florida’s votes would count.

“Taking a conservative approach, the NPV bill does not eliminate the Electoral College, nor does it require a constitutional amendment,” said Torres. “It is passed by the states, which have plenary authority over how they award their electoral votes under Article 2 Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution.”

“Currently, presidential candidates campaign in just eight to ten battleground states, neglecting to visit the 40 or more other states,” said Kathleen Crampton, founder & chair of Floridians for National Popular Vote. “The result has been the election of five minority presidents and low turnout in states overlooked by candidates who focus their attention on fringe issues and voter groups. Enacting NPV would encourage candidates to campaign in all 50 states and focus on issues important to all voters, not just those of a minority on the right or left.”

“Most voters want to elect the president by popular vote,” said Crampton. “In a poll conducted last summer by the Pew Research Center, 63% of respondents, up from 55% the previous year, said they supported electing the president by popular vote.”

“To date, 15 states and the District of Columbia, containing a total of 195 electoral votes, have passed the legislation—that’s just 75 electoral votes shy of 270, which is the threshold that would activate the law,” said Crampton. “When we pass this bill in Florida with our 30 electoral votes, NPV will be over three quarters of the way to guaranteeing that the president is the winner of the National Popular Vote. It would honor the will of the people.”

Florida State Rep. Michael Gottlieb Files National Popular Vote Bill to Make Every Vote Equal

DAVIE, Fla. – February 6, 2023 –Florida State Representative Michael Gottlieb (House District 102) introduced the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact “NPV” Bill (House Bill 53) to guarantee that the candidate with the most votes wins the U.S. presidency. Senator Victor Torres (Senate District 15) intends to file a companion bill in the Senate.

“The 2020 election and the aftermath has again highlighted the flaws in our current system. We need the legislature to pass this bill now,” said Gottlieb. “All public officials are elected by a majority of the popular vote except two—the president and vice president,” said Gottlieb. “The candidate who wins the most votes in all 50 states should be president.”

Florida is among 48 states with winner-take-all laws passed in the 1800s that award all of the state’s electoral votes to the winner of the state’s popular vote. The NPV bill would replace the winner-take-all law in Florida so that all of the state’s 30 electoral votes would go to the candidate who wins the most total votes in all 50 states.

“Taking a conservative approach, the NPV bill does not eliminate the Electoral College, nor does it require a constitutional amendment,” said Gottlieb. “It is passed by the states, which have plenary authority over how they award their electoral votes under Article 2 Section 1 of the Constitution.”

“Currently, presidential candidates campaign in just eight to ten battleground states, neglecting to visit the other 40 or more states,” said Kathleen Crampton, Founder & Chair of Floridians for National Popular Vote. “The result has been the election of five minority presidents—George W. Bush and Donald Trump in the last two decades—and low turnout in states overlooked by candidates who focus their attention on fringe issues and voter groups. Enacting NPV would encourage candidates to campaign in all 50 states and to focus on issues important to all voters, not just those of a minority on the right or left.”

“Most voters want to elect the president by popular vote,” said Crampton. “In a national poll conducted last summer by the Pew Research Center, 63% of respondents, up from 55% the previous year, said they supported electing the president by popular vote.”

“To date, 15 states and the District of Columbia, containing a total of 195 electoral votes, have passed the legislation—that’s just 75 electoral votes shy of 270, which is the threshold that would activate the law,” said Crampton. “When we pass this bill in Florida with our 30 electoral votes, NPV will be three-fourths of the way to guaranteeing that the president is the winner of the National Popular Vote. It would honor the will of the people.”

Contact: Angie Wegner
angies@gmail.com
323-863-6014

National Popular Vote Filed for Seventh Year in Florida

Floridians for National Popular Vote welcomes you into a new year with exciting news about what’s happening in Florida and around the country. First, we are honored to announce Bill #53 submitted by Representative Michael Gottlieb of Davie, Florida. Rep. Gottlieb carries on the tradition of filing the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact for the seventh year in Florida. Our previous sponsor, Joseph Gellar, termed out after many years of exemplary service to the people of Florida.

The Florida Legislative session runs from March 7 to May 5, 2023.

Electoral College Reform Act Passed

At the eleventh hour, the US Congress passed an omnibus spending bill to fund the US government through September 2023. Among the attached bills, the Electoral College Reform Act passed. This bill clarifies the Vice President’s role in certifying the Electoral Count by Congress as strictly ceremonial. As you may recall in January 2021, there were numerous pleadings for then VP Pence to vote against the certification of President-elect Joe Biden. However, Mr. Pence understood he had no legal standing to make such a call. A riot ensued. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agreed to reform fuzzy language in the original 1887 law. Electoral College Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act solidifies the smooth transfer of power after a safe and fair election. Remember: the National Popular Vote bill retains the Electoral College as its basis, so we are pleased to see improvements and clarifications around presidential elections.

Independent State Legislature Theory

In early December 2022, the US Supreme Court heard arguments regarding whether state courts could rule on state voting issues or whether the state legislatures have absolute power over those laws. If the Independent State Legislature Theory stands, there would be no checks and balances between the legislative and judicial branches of state government. This ruling will have wide-reaching implications and so we are watching closely for the Supreme Court’s decision.

Watch the Video

Post Midterm Election Update

As Americans, we can be extremely proud of a record turnout in a midterm election. We are still nearly split into two distinctive factions. Democracy prevails because centrist Americans came out in droves to defeat extremists. Americans know a lie when they hear it. Even under economic pressure, Americans supported Democratic principles over their own wallets. With Democracy on the ballot, millions used their vote to affirm their belief in our Democratic system of one person, one vote.

While many election deniers won congressional seats, Democrats held the Senate majority. The House of Representatives is not overwhelmingly Republican. Secretary of State positions didn’t flip Red. These offices are critical when affirming voting proprieties meet state and federal laws. Governors also hold extraordinary power in certifying the presidential vote. They hold the veto pen against overreaching state legislators. Mainstream candidates won over extremists in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Arizona and Nevada. Thank you, American voters, for rejecting the premise that, “if I lose, you cheated”. Coincidentally, most losing candidates have conceded. Another great tribute to Democracy. What does all this mean for the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact? Americans understand the power of one person, one vote. The person with the most votes wins. Complacency was dispelled. The complexity of the Electoral College needs to be aligned with these facts, one person, one vote and the majority wins. The compact needs 75 Electoral Votes to go into effect. Here are states that seem most likely to pass it in the next 2-4 years: Michigan (15), Wisconsin (10), Minnesota (10), Pennsylvania (19), Arizona (11), Nevada (6) What’s next in Florida? Train more subject matter experts Speaking engagements throughout the state Educate lawmakers Announce new Florida House sponsor and strategize with him and other interested legislators to focus our efforts Target members of the committees to which NPVIC has been referred with NPV messages and visits… Get a committee hearing Support other states in passing NPV Volunteer and donate here. November 2022 League of Women Voters’ Hot Topics Presentation at LWV Orange County Hot Topics in Orlando, FL, by Kathleen Crampton “Make Every Vote Count: How to Restore Fair and Trusted Presidential Elections”, November 9, 2022, moderated by Mike Lafferty. Left to right in the picture below:  Valerie Schultz, Floridians4NPV Chair, Seminole County; Louise Thompson, Floridians4NPV Co-Chair Orange County; Kathleen Crampton, State Chair of Floridians4NPV; Anne Coppenhaver, Floridians4NPV Co-Chair Orange County. Request a speaker at your event. We have subject matter experts available in person or via Zoom.

Welcome to the September 2022 edition of In the News. We hope you continue to find interesting our sampling of news about the popular vote from various media outlets around the country. Email us with comments or questions at NPVLWVFL@gmail.com or visit us at FloridiansforNPV.com. And feel free to forward this to a friend or colleague.

Click here to read the entire addition of In the News.

League of Women Voters Makes National Popular Vote a “Moonshot” Priority

The League of Women Voters held its National Convention in Denver and virtually from June 23-25.

The National Popular Vote movement started in 2006 as a catalyst to ensure the candidate with the most votes nationally is elected President. By continuing to use the Electoral College, states decide to have their Electors cast their state votes for the candidate who wins in all 50 states, not the winner in their state.

The League of Women Voters has supported direct election of the president since 1970, and the National Popular Vote as an option since 2010.

In all 15 states and DC, the state Leagues have been instrumental in getting the bill passed. State Leagues in other jurisdictions have varying levels of commitment depending on local membership preferences and scope.

In Florida we have a devoted team of LWV from around the state who support NPV by speaking to civic groups and legislators to ensure reliable information is disseminated.

Our Florida leadership, including Kathleen Crampton, Anne Coppenhaver, Jan Lonsdale, Debra Chandler, organized a caucus and resolution for the entire convention to enshrine NPV into the LWV two-year plan “Making Democracy Work”.

“Electing the President by Popular Vote” was passed overwhelmingly by the delegates. We celebrate all the hard work and dedication of our League members from around the country who contributed to this year’s success.

Girls Scouts of Southeast Florida Honor Floridians for NPV Founder

Congratulations to Kathleen R. Crampton the 2022 Emerald Awards honoree in the Go-getter category!! She is passionate about ensuring every vote counts and that everyone has the right to vote, putting that passion into action by founding Floridians for the National Popular Vote. She understands how to motivate people and work with a team to get things done.

We are so proud of Kathleen and her state-wide team of devoted volunteers who tirelessly provide their time and energy to educate the public and Legislators about the National Popular Vote law.

Five of nine currently sitting Supreme Court justices were appointed by Presidents who lost the popular vote. How is that possible? The winner-take-all used in 48 states causes 38 states to be reliably Red or Blue while the remaining 12 battleground states determine the winner of the Electoral College vote.

Perhaps you’ve heard of the Electoral Count Act. It’s been in the news lately. It passed in 1887, after the highly disputed election of 1876 and close elections in 1880 and 1884. It’s a complicated and ambiguous piece of legislation. It aims to enforce states’ rights to decide their presidential election laws and take the US Congress out of it, for the most part.

Senate Bill Filed

Senator Victor Torres filed the National Popular Vote bill. It is assigned SB584 for the 2022 Florida Legislative session that starts January 11 and runs through March 11. It’s been assigned to 3 Senate committees: Ethics and Elections, Judiciary, Rules.

Representative Joseph Geller filed the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact for the 2022 Legislative Session. House Bill #69 is assigned to both the Public Integrity and Elections Committee and the Judiciary Committee.

Click on any of these links and you can view the members of that specific committee. We appreciate your help in contacting your legislator and requesting a hearing of the bill. If you need a subject matter expert, reach out to us at npvic1@gmail.com and we will assist you in any way we can.

Successful Michael Steele Events

Michael Steele sold out three venues: The Forum Club of Palm Beach, The League of Women Voters Palm Beach County’s Warriors and Heroes VIP Reception and the Florida Atlantic University Department of Political Science OLLI auditorium.

He repeated his motto, “I am an American, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order” throughout his presentations. Mr. Steele’s comments were welcomed by all. He truly exemplifies the leadership we want and need.

For Michael Steele’s interview with The Palm Beach Post, click here.

Pictured below: Representative Joseph Geller, LWV FL President Cecile Scoon, LWV PBC Kathi Gundlach, Floridians for NPV Chair Kathleen Crampton

Floridians for NPV Team Below: Kathleen Crampton, Tracey Wiseman, Deb Mazzaferro, Cynthia Archbold, Angie Wegner, with the Honorable Michael Steele at the Forum Club of Palm Beach

Endorsement

The Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) recently added the following paragraph to its official platform statement, under the heading of Defending Democracy.

• Electoral College Reform: The current Electoral College system can result in the unjust election of a president opposed by a majority of the American people. Since elimination of the Electoral College would require a Constitutional amendment, we support the adoption of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact by as many states as necessary, which provides that upon adoption by states whose electoral votes total at least 270, the states in the Compact would agree to cast their electoral votes for the presidential candidate receiving the most popular votes nationally, irrespective of the results in their particular state.

The founder and Chair of JDCA is Ron Klein, a former member Florida House of Representatives (1992-1996), a former member and Democratic leader of the Florida Senate (1996-2006), and a former member of the House of Representatives (2006-2010) from Florida’s 22^nd congressional district (Broward and Palm Beach Counties). He is currently a partner at the law firm of Holland & Knight.