×
×
homepage logo

Debate planned on election of president by popular vote

By Staff | Nov 30, 2012

The Robert C. Byrd Center for Legislative Studies will host a debate on the issue of the National Popular Vote for President and Vice President on Monday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. in the Center’s auditorium at 213 N. King Street on the campus of Shepherd University. The debate will feature Delegate John Doyle of the West Virginia House of Delegates and Mr. Patrick Rosenstiel, senior consultant for the 501(c)4 National Popular Vote issue advocacy group.

During each presidential election the question always arises about whether the Electoral College has outlived its usefulness and that this Constitutional provision should be altered or abolished so that Presidents can be elected by the direct popular vote of the people.

The National Popular Vote organization, founded in 2006, has proposed modifying the Electoral College to reflect the popular vote. The National Popular Vote bill would guarantee the Presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in the entire United States. The bill preserves the Electoral College, while ensuring that every vote in every state will matter in every presidential election. The National Popular Vote law has been enacted by states possessing 132 electoral votes – 49% of the 270 electoral votes needed to activate it.

The Robert C. Byrd Center for Legislative Studies is a private, nonpartisan and nonprofit educational organization whose mission is to promote a better understanding of the U. S. Congress, the Constitution, and the meaning of Representative Democracy.

For further information contact Dr. Ray Smock, 304-876-5665, or visit the Byrd Center website at www.byrdcenter.org.