Resolution Calling for an Active Defense of the Electoral College in Opposition to the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact

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Summary

The Electoral College respects and protects states in our federal republic. It is threatened by the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which would manipulate the Electoral College, commingling votes across state lines and forcing the result to correspond with the national popular vote outcome. This would be a radical change, adopting a system rejected by the American Founders. This resolution asserts that the state will consider litigation and legislative options to oppose the Compact should it ever take effect.    

Resolution Calling for an Active Defense of the Electoral College in Opposition to the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact

Section 1. Preamble  

WHEREAS, the Electoral College, as established in the Constitution of the United States, is an essential part of the design of our federal republic; 

WHEREAS, the state-by-state election process known as the Electoral College respects the identity and sovereignty of the states; 

WHEREAS, the American Founders rejected a national popular vote and instead created the Electoral College;  

WHEREAS, the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is an attempt to manipulate the Electoral College by commingling votes across state lines and forcing the result to correspond with the national popular vote outcome;  

WHEREAS, the only legitimate way to establish a direct national election for president is by constitutional amendment rather than by an interstate compact;  

WHEREAS, states not party to the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact need not cooperate with it and should instead assert their powers in defense of their own voters and the Constitution of the United States.   

Section 2. Therefore, let It Be Resolved:  

  1. That this body opposes the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact and intends to defend the state-based process for presidential elections known as the Electoral College;  
  2. That this body will consider a full range of options to defend the voters of this state and the Constitution of the United States against the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, should it take effect, including litigation and legislative measures;  
  3. That the constitutional power of states over their own elections means there are many legislative options to challenge the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, including making changes to the processes for voting and reporting the votes for presidential electors.