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Tuesday, March 15, 2011
NM Rep. Mary Helen Garcia Proposes National Popular Vote System
House Voters and Elections Committee (HVEC) Chair Mary Helen Garcia (D-Las Cruces) has introduced a memorial that directs the state’s top election official to review the implications of switching from the current Electoral College to a national popular vote system. The memorial is scheduled to be heard in the HVEC this morning.
“I think it bears investigating the pros and cons of switching to a national popular vote system rather than the current Electoral College," Rep. Garcia explained. "A national popular election of the president and vice president would ensure that every single voter -- whether from a large or small state -- has equal weight on the election.”
House Memorial 56 instructs Secretary of State Dianna Duran to lead a bipartisan, comprehensive study of the National Popular Vote Initiative. The initiative is a state-based plan for electing the president of the United States. It strengthens the current Electoral College by ensuring the winner of the national popular vote wins the presidency. Currently, states elect their mayors, legislators and governors by popular vote. If HM56 passes the House, New Mexico will study the pros and cons of joining seven other states in a compact to change to a popular vote system to elect the president of the United States.
“I support evaluating the options to ensure the integrity of our election process,” said Secretary Duran.
According to polling done by the National Popular Vote Initiative, New Mexicans around the state overwhelmingly support the idea of a national popular vote system. The poll concluded that 76% of New Mexico voters embrace the popular vote system -- with 83% of Democrats and 64% of Republicans in favor of the initiative.
March 15, 2011 at 10:41 AM in Election Reform & Voting, NM Legislature 2011 | Permalink
Comments
Republican politicians will never go for this. There are just more Democrats than Republicans out there.
Posted by: qofdisks | Mar 15, 2011 4:20:30 PM
A survey of 800 New Mexico voters conducted on December 16-17, 2008 showed 76% overall support for a national popular vote for President.
Support was 84% among Democrats, 64% among Republicans, and 68% among independents.
By age, support was 73% among 18-29 year olds, 73% among 30-45 year olds, 78% among 46-65 year olds, and 76% for those older than 65.
By gender, support was 84% among women and 66% among men.
www.NationalPopularVote.com
Posted by: oldgulph | Mar 16, 2011 10:30:05 AM
I see the poll there but, the politicians have been ignoring popular ideas and desires lately. There are many examples of this. Most people wanted single payer and then most people wanted at least a public option in health care reform. Most people wanted accountability of the Bush administration and the financial debacle. No dice. Most people want social security left alone or raise the income cap for contribution to the fund. No way. Most people want the rich to pay their fair share of taxes and want government to go after offshore tax shelters. Not going to happen. Most Democrats wanted Udall's senate reform. Reid nixed it and we have a situation of a neutered Democratic majority in the Senate. Most people are tired of the War on Drugs and all the other wars and want to cut defense funding. It just goes on and on.
Nice poll and knowing the sentiment of the public is nice.
Posted by: qofdisks | Mar 16, 2011 11:16:05 AM
We have two political parties and neither one listens to or fights for the people.
Posted by: Sean | Mar 16, 2011 12:13:34 PM
