I believe that the candidate who receives the most votes nationwide for president should win. That is why the existing National Popular Vote Compact was passed into law in Colorado in 2019. There are attempts in this election to repeal this opportunity, so it is essential that voters in Colorado say “yes” to Proposition 113 and retain the national popular vote.
The Constitution empowers the states to choose the method of awarding their electoral votes. The NPV compact would replace existing state “winner-take-all statutes” with one that guarantees the presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Colorado is a “winner take all” state, meaning all our electors go to the presidential candidate who gets the most votes statewide. But there is no state where 100% of the voters are for one candidate. The truth is, in any state, battleground or flyover, a significant number of voters are disenfranchised election after election simply because they are in the minority and their votes are left behind state lines. Studies show that voter registrations and turnout go up in battleground states, because people know their votes will matter. In 2012 and 2016, battleground states had turnout rates 11% to 12% above the national rate. It’s no surprise — when people know their votes matter, more people vote.
In 2019 I testified, with many others, in support of the NPV in both Colorado House and Senate committees and listened to hours of arguments on both sides. Much of the opposing testimony was based on persistent misinformation or unfounded biases. The Legislature passed this law because it makes sense. The NPV Compact is carefully crafted and honors our electoral system while making it more fair for all voters.
When enough states equaling 270 electoral votes have enacted the NPV, the nation becomes one voting district for our one national office — the presidency. Under a nationwide vote for president, where you vote won’t matter, that you vote will. I urge you to vote yes on Prop 113, retain the NPV.
Facts about the NPV can be found at https://www.nationalpopularvote.com/.
Ingrid Moore,
Longmont
